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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave following serious allegations linking him to organised crime networks.
Speaking in a live televised address on Sunday night, Ramaphosa said the decision was necessary due to the gravity of the claims, which “undermined the constitution and threatened national security.”
He also confirmed the formation of a judicial commission to thoroughly investigate the allegations. The commission will be led by Deputy Chief Justice and include inquiries into current and former police officials and members of the executive.
Law professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed as acting police minister during the investigation.
The 67-year-old Mchunu, a senior figure in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and a potential contender for leadership at the party’s 2027 elective conference, has denied any wrongdoing.
In a statement, he said: “I welcome and respect the president’s decision and pledge my commitment to the process.
Honour and integrity are the virtues I personally subscribe to and which we all need to make efforts to uphold.”
The allegations surfaced last week through KwaZulu-Natal police boss Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu of interfering with police investigations into political killings and corruption.
Mkhwanazi also alleged that Mchunu received financial backing from businessman Vusimuzi Matlala, whose police contract was canceled after his arrest for attempted murder in May.
Gen. Mkhwanazi further claimed that Mchunu orchestrated the disbandment of a special task force created in 2018 to probe political assassinations in the province.
The unit, which had reportedly uncovered ties between top politicians, police officials, and a drug cartel syndicate, was shut down earlier this year.
“When he dissolved the unit, Mchunu said it was not adding value in the province, despite many cases remaining unsolved,” Mkhwanazi said.
He also revealed that 121 case files were allegedly removed from the task force without authorisation and had since been left untouched at police headquarters.
“These case dockets have, since March, been sitting at the head office ever since without any investigation work done on them. Five of these dockets already had instructions to [effect] arrests,” Gen Mkhwanazi stated.
The situation has placed mounting pressure on President Ramaphosa, who is already navigating a politically fragile environment.
His swift response with the judicial probe is being seen as a move to preserve public confidence and enforce accountability in the upper ranks of government.
South Africa’s police minister placed on leave amid organised crime allegations
