The Walter & Albertina Sisulu Foundation has issued a scathing statement condemning President Cyril Ramaphosa’s response to the growing crisis of corruption in South Africa’s law enforcement and justice sectors, calling his actions “bureaucratic theatre” and demanding his immediate resignation.

The Foundation praised KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, for exposing “deep-rooted collusion between police leadership, political appointees, and organised criminal syndicates.”

“Mkhwanazi’s stance is a vital turning point in the national fight against corruption, organised crime, human trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and systemic violence,” the Foundation said.

However, the President’s response, placing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on paid leave and appointing Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting minister, was slammed as calculated and insufficient.

“Yes, these moves are legally permissible, but legality is not legitimacy,” the Foundation said. “This worn-out script no longer inspires confidence, it provokes outrage.”

The foundation highlights Minister Mchunu’s past as “no stranger to allegations of obstruction and political cover-up,” citing his previous role in halting disciplinary processes against senior officials implicated in forensic reports.

His removal from the police portfolio, the Foundation argues, is part of “a pattern of executive behaviour that has shielded power rather than exercised it with integrity.”

Criticising the President’s decision to launch yet another commission of inquiry, this time chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the Foundation accused Ramaphosa of governance through symbolism rather than substance.

“This is not new terrain, it is recycled theatre. Commissions have become the illusion of action, a mechanism to delay consequences and deflect responsibility.”

The unresolved Phala Phala scandal also featured in the statement, with the Foundation warning that the lack of transparency “undermines not only his moral authority but the very integrity of the constitutional order he swore to uphold.”

More damning still, the Foundation argued that Ramaphosa’s leadership contradicts the very principles his administration claims to uphold.

“You cannot preach dialogue while insulating political elites from accountability. Dialogue without consequence is theatre.”

Calling on Parliament, civil society, and faith leaders to act, the Foundation declared.

“This is a moment for bold action, not bureaucratic theatre. Parliament must rise to the occasion… not as spectators of elite negotiation, but as defenders of the democratic promise.”

In its final rebuke, the Foundation called for the President to resign immediately.

“It will be better if he resigns with immediate effect before he causes more harm to the fragile ethical fabric of our nation, as he lately enjoys manipulating the country on behalf of his handlers.”

“What he is doing is a direct spit in the face of our revolutionary forefathers and contrary to the values, ethical paradigm and the hard-earned legacy of Walter and Albertina Sisulu.”

IOL News

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