Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has come under fire from opposition parties for his decision not to formally suspend Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, despite serious allegations of political interference.
During his budget vote speech, Ramaphosa defended his approach, stating that the allegations against Mchunu remain untested and that immediate punitive action would be unfair. Instead, the president announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the claims.
Opposition Demands Stronger Action
While Ramaphosa insisted that due process must be followed, opposition parties criticized his decision as weak and inconsistent.
John Hlophe of the MK Party accused the president of hypocrisy, saying, “You speak of fighting corruption, yet you place your own minister of police on special leave instead of expelling him from the cabinet as you recently did with regard to the DA deputy minister.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also condemned the move, with Chief Whip Nontando Nolutshungu accusing Ramaphosa of “undermining good governance and plain constitutional delinquency.” She argued that placing Mchunu on special leave while he continues to receive a salary and benefits was unacceptable.
Mixed Reactions to Commission of Inquiry
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) welcomed the inquiry, with Chief Whip Nhlanhla Hadebe stating it was the right step to address the allegations raised by KZN Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
However, other parties, including ActionSA and the ACDP, expressed frustration over the state of South Africa’s security services. ActionSA’s Athol Trollip declared that “crime is out of control” and that the police ministry was in “complete disarray.” The ACDP’s Wayne Thring went further, suggesting that if found guilty, Mchunu could face treason charges.
Ramaphosa Hits Back at Critics
The president dismissed claims that past commissions had failed to deliver results, citing improvements at Eskom, Transnet, and SARS as evidence of their effectiveness. “This view is wrong. It is not borne out by evidence,” he said.
He also criticized the DA, MK Party, and EFF for not supporting the national dialogue initiative, accusing them of undermining efforts to address the country’s challenges.
Ramaphosa is expected to respond to the debate on Thursday as tensions over the handling of Mchunu’s case continue to escalate.