South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave following serious allegations of misconduct linked to a criminal syndicate.
The move came after Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the police commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal province, accused Mchunu of interfering in key investigations and protecting individuals connected to organised crime. Mchunu, however, has strongly denied the claims, calling them baseless. Through his spokesperson, he reiterated his commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The allegations have triggered widespread concern across South Africa, with political parties, citizens, and civil society demanding immediate action. President Ramaphosa, who came to power on a platform of anti-corruption and reform, responded to the pressure by announcing a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the claims in full.
“These allegations therefore call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation,” Ramaphosa said during a nationally televised address. He also named Professor Firoz Cachalia, a respected law scholar, as the acting Minister of Police while the inquiry is underway.
The controversy surrounding Mchunu has further shaken public confidence in South Africa’s criminal justice system. Observers note that the situation puts Ramaphosa’s anti-corruption stance to the test. Investors have long warned about South Africa’s struggle with crime, which the World Bank estimates costs the country nearly 10 percent of its GDP every year.
Mchunu is a senior member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and had been seen as a potential contender for a top leadership role at the party’s next national conference in 2027. His suspension marks a significant political setback, though no formal charges have been filed as yet.
According to Mkhwanazi, digital evidence including WhatsApp messages links Mchunu to efforts to shield politicians, police officers, and other syndicate members from scrutiny. He further alleged that Mchunu disbanded a special police unit investigating politically motivated killings, halting progress on over 100 case files that remain unresolved.
As public and political pressure mounts, the outcome of the judicial inquiry will likely have far-reaching implications for South Africa’s leadership and the credibility of its fight against crime and corruption.
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