President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing mounting pressure as the EFF has threatened legal action challenging his decision to place the police minister on special leave while the MK Party has called on him to resign.

Ramaphosa faced a barrage of criticism when he appeared in the National Assembly yesterday to present the Presidency budget vote.

The president tried to defend his decisions to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence and to establish a commission of inquiry to look into the recent explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Ramaphosa said the allegations were serious but they were also “untested”.

“It is, therefore, necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible, and thorough process so that we can ensure accountability and safeguard public confidence in the police service.

“Some have said that I should take immediate punitive steps against the Minister on the basis of untested allegations,” he said.

“Not only would this be unfair, but it would create a dangerous precedent. The commission should be allowed to do its work.”

But the EFF has served Ramaphosa with a legal letter challenging his decision to place Mchunu on leave.

In the letter sent by England Slabbert Attorneys on behalf of the EFF, the party highlights several points that include the lack of constitutional power. “Placing Mchunu on special leave while he continues to draw a ministerial salary, alongside appointing an acting Minister, is seen as an abuse of state resources,” the letter read.

“The decision is not only illegal, it is also a flagrant abuse of state resources. It allows Senzo Mchunu to continue drawing a full ministerial salary under the guise of ‘special leave’…” the letter continued.

The Red Berets demanded that Ramaphosa provide certain information by July 21 regarding Mchunu’s powers and functions during his leave, the pecuniary benefits Mchunu will receive, and the rationale behind the decision to place Mchunu on leave or face further legal action.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya had not responded to questions whether the president was preparing to challenge the EFF’s court action.

Meanwhile the MK Party has formally delivered a letter of demand to Ramaphosa, calling on him to resign from office by Friday.

The party said the decision to appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police is in contravention of the Constitution, because the academic is not a member of Cabinet or the National Assembly.

MK party national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said Ramaphosa must resign in honour of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding commander-in-chief of uMkhonto weSizwe – the military wing.

“Should Ramaphosa fail to heed this call, the MK party will pursue a range of lawful and peaceful actions, including constitutional litigation, a motion of no confidence in Parliament and rolling mass action nationwide,” said Ndlela.

MK Party deputy president and MP John Hlophe launched a scathing attack on Ramaphosa in Parliament yesterday, calling him a “president broken beyond repair”.

Hlophe criticised Ramaphosa’s anti-corruption stance, mentioning the theft of undeclared foreign currency from a couch on the president’s Phala Phala farm. 

“You hide dollars like a hustler stashing stolen goods under a mattress,” Hlophe said.

Hlophe said the Presidency had become “a fortress of a conflicted and compromised president,” and accused Ramaphosa of being “the living, breathing embodiment of corruption.”

He also criticised Ramaphosa’s response to allegations against senior officials, including placing the Mchunu on special leave, suggesting this was inadequate.

“You speak of fighting corruption, yet you place your own Minister of Police on special leave instead of removing him from Cabinet, as you did with the DA deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (Andrew Whitfield),” Hlophe said.

The DA also confirmed yesterday that the criminal case the party lodged against Mchunu last week was under investigation.

DA deputy chief whip in Parliament, Baxolile Nodada, said a senior Lieutenant Colonel has been assigned as investigating officer in the criminal matter against Mchunu.

“The DA has provided the SAPS with a full account on the affidavit of the conduct of Minister Mchunu, for them to begin their investigation.

“Senzo Mchunu, as all other South Africans, must abide by the laws of South Africa – and where laws are broken, criminal investigations must follow.

“Misleading Parliament, lying and fraudulent cover ups cannot be tolerated from ANC Ministers.

“They are serious offences. Parliament is the structure to which the Executive must account honestly, and truthfully,” said Nodada.

THE MERCURY

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