President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday pushed back against growing calls for him to fire Police Minister Senzo Mchunu following explosive allegations by KZN police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, saying it would be unfair and set a dangerous precedent.

Speaking at the Presidency’s budget vote for the 2025/2026 financial year, Ramaphosa stressed the importance of due processes.

“The integrity and credibility of the criminal justice system are vital to our ongoing efforts to combat crime and corruption.”

“Over the last few years, we have made significant progress in rebuilding and strengthening law enforcement agencies, security services and prosecutorial bodies,” he said.

He said the changes have been real and visible in the South African Police Service, the Hawks, National Prosecuting Authority, Asset Forfeiture Unit, Special Investigating Unit, State Security Agency and others.

“We are determined to maintain this momentum. We must therefore be concerned when reports emerge and allegations are made that threaten to undermine the stability and effectiveness of these institutions.”

Ramaphosa confirmed the establishment of two commissions of inquiry aimed at probing aspects of the criminal justice system.

The first, chaired by retired Justice Sisi Khampepe, will investigate historical allegations of interference in the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.

“The commission will investigate allegations of undue interference in the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.”

“Not only is the commission necessary to ensure justice for the victims of apartheid-era crimes and their families, but it will provide valuable lessons as we strengthen our efforts to ensure accountability now and into the future.”

The second commission, announced on Sunday and to be chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will probe allegations raised by Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi.

“Lt Gen Mkhwanazi alleged that the Minister of Police had interfered with sensitive police investigations and colluded with business people, including a murder accused, to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal.”

“These allegations are serious. They are also untested,” he said.

In explosive allegations, Mkhwanazi accused Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, the deputy national commissioner for crime detection, who has also been placed on leave, of colluding with Brown Mogotsi, an information dealer from the North West, and Mchunu, in an alleged plot to disband the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team that has been at the centre of recent law enforcement efforts.

According to Mkhwanazi, Mchunu disbanded the unit in March, effectively withdrawing 121 active dockets, many of which were linked to politically motivated killings. 

He presented WhatsApp messages, South African Police Service (SAPS) documents, and cellphone records, alleging a coordinated effort to dismantle the unit.

Mchunu, in a letter dated December 2024 to National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, claimed the unit had “outlived its usefulness.”

In response to the mounting scandal, Ramaphosa established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the allegations and placed Mchunu on special leave.

On Tuesday, Ramaphosa appointed Gwede Mantashe, the current Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, as the acting Minister of Police, effectively immediately.

Mantashe will oversee police matters while retaining his existing portfolio in mineral and petroleum resources. 

Professor Firoz Cachalia, who has served in various educational roles, is set to succeed Mantashe at the helm of police leadership in August, following his retirement from the University of the Witwatersrand at the end of this month. 

Ramaphosa said it is important that the facts be established through a thorough and independent process to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in the law enforcement.

“It is therefore strange that some people have voiced strong opposition to the establishment of this commission of inquiry.”

Opposition parties slammed the inquiry and called for Mchunu’s immediate removal.

But, Ramaphosa rejected the calls.

“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.”

He insisted that the commission should be allowed to do its work without interference.

“Some people have resurrected the tired line that the commissions and panels that we have established have not produced any meaningful results.”

“This view is wrong. It is not borne out by evidence,” Ramaphosa added.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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