Former President Jacob Zuma and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party have filed an urgent application with the Constitutional Court, seeking to overturn President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent reforms to the police ministry.

Their application, filed on Friday afternoon, comes in the wake of alarming allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, regarding political interference in policing.

The crux of the urgent application challenges Ramaphosa’s appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister, placing of minister of policer Senzo Mchunu on leave, and the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry.

Zuma and the MK Party have branded the president’s actions as irrational, unconstitutional, and a blatant abuse of power that undermines the integrity and morale of police leadership.

The applicants are urging the court to not only set aside Ramaphosa’s decisions but to also mandate him to enact new, lawful decisions within a strict timeframe of 15 days. 

The respondents involved in the case have been given until early next week to file their response, with the matter expected to be heard as soon as 28 July. 

As the political landscape grows increasingly turbulent, observers are left wondering about the wider implications of this legal challenge on the stability of the government and the future of policing in the province.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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