South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave following serious allegations that he interfered in high-profile investigations and colluded with a criminal syndicate.
The accusations were made public by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claimed that Mchunu disbanded a unit investigating politically motivated killings in order to protect certain individuals, including politicians and police officers allegedly linked to criminal networks. Mkhwanazi also said over 100 case files had since been sidelined.
Mchunu has denied the claims, calling them baseless. In a statement, his spokesperson said he remains committed to the rule of law.
In a nationally televised address, Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations. “These allegations therefore call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation,” he said.
Ramaphosa has appointed law professor Firoz Cachalia as acting minister of police during the inquiry. The move follows mounting pressure from opposition parties and civil society, concerned that the scandal threatens the integrity of South Africa’s justice system.
The Democratic Alliance, the ANC’s main coalition partner, has called for a parliamentary probe, while other parties have demanded Mchunu’s suspension.
Mchunu is a senior figure in the ANC and was expected to be a key contender at the party’s next leadership conference in 2027.
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