South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate “leave of absence” following serious allegations linking him to organised crime networks and interference in politically sensitive investigations.
In a live televised address on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa announced the formation of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the claims, calling them “a threat to national security and a direct challenge to the constitution.” Law professor Firoz Cachalia was named interim police minister while the inquiry unfolds.
Allegations Shake Police Leadership
The allegations, first made public last week by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, suggest Mchunu received financial support from a businessman with alleged cartel ties to fund his political ambitions.
Mkhwanazi further accused Mchunu of orchestrating the disbandment of a special police task force established in 2018 to investigate political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, where assassinations linked to local politics have plagued the province for years.
According to Mkhwanazi, the unit’s investigations uncovered links between the killings, corrupt police officials, and prominent business figures tied to the drug trade. He alleged that on Mchunu’s instruction, 121 case files were removed from the task force earlier this year without the national commissioner’s approval — halting progress on investigations.
“Five of these dockets already had instructions to effect arrests,” Mkhwanazi said, adding that the files have since been left dormant at police headquarters.
A Controversial Business Connection
Central to the allegations is Vusimuzi Matlala, a businessman with lucrative police contracts who was arrested in May for attempted murder. Mkhwanazi produced text messages and proof of payments that allegedly show Matlala funneled money to support Mchunu’s political career.
The police minister has denied any wrongdoing, describing the accusations as “baseless and politically motivated.” In a statement, Mchunu, 67, 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.”
Judicial Commission to Widen Scope
Ramaphosa said the judicial commission, to be led by the deputy chief justice, would not only investigate Mchunu but also current and former police officials and members of the national executive implicated in the allegations.
“The scale and seriousness of these claims call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation,” the president said.
The move follows mounting public pressure on Ramaphosa, who has faced criticism for his slow response to corruption scandals within law enforcement and the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Political Fallout and ANC Implications
Mchunu is a senior ANC figure and was widely viewed as a potential contender for leadership at the party’s 2027 elective conference. His suspension comes at a sensitive time for Ramaphosa, who has promised to clean up corruption but has struggled to contain factional battles within the ANC.
Analysts say the allegations could significantly damage both Mchunu’s political prospects and the ANC’s already fragile credibility.
“This is not just about one minister,” said political analyst Sipho Mbatha. “It touches on the deep-rooted nexus between politics, policing, and organised crime in South Africa.”
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The revelations have sparked outrage across the country, where citizens have long accused law enforcement of being compromised by corruption and political interference. Opposition parties have demanded Mchunu’s resignation and called for a broader parliamentary inquiry.
The judicial commission’s first task will be to verify Mkhwanazi’s claims, which, if proven, could implicate multiple high-ranking officials. A hearing schedule is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
For now, the scandal leaves Ramaphosa’s government reeling and the ANC once again battling allegations that criminal syndicates wield influence at the highest levels of state power.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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