South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
President places Senzo Mchunu on leave and launches judicial inquiry following claims of interference in investigations
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave and announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry after serious allegations of collusion with criminal syndicates and interference in politically sensitive investigations emerged.
In a televised national address, Ramaphosa said that the accusations “call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation” and pose a threat to constitutional governance and national security.
Law professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed acting police minister.
The allegations were first made public by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, provincial police commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, during a Sunday briefing.
Mkhwanani claimed Mchunu had disbanded a specialized task team investigating political killings dating back to 2018, which had uncovered links to politicians, senior police, judiciary members, and businesspeople connected to a criminal network.
He alleged that more than one hundred case files were removed from the unit’s docket in March and remained unattended, some of which had been prepared for arrests.
Mkhwanani also presented digital evidence, including WhatsApp messages, suggesting Mchunu received financial support from businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to further his political ambitions.
Matlala, previously awarded a lucrative police contract, was arrested in May for attempted murder.
Mchunu, who has held the position of police minister since July 2024 and is a senior member of the governing party, denied all wrongdoing, describing the allegations as baseless and expressing willingness to cooperate fully with the inquiry.
He said he respected and welcomed the decision to investigate the matter.
The judicial commission, to be chaired by a deputy chief justice, will examine the role of current and former law enforcement officials, cabinet members, and other public servants.
It will receive cooperation from agencies including the National Prosecuting Authority and State Security Agency.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have demanded immediate and decisive action.
Parliamentary committees on police, justice, constitutional affairs, and intelligence have been tasked with urgent investigations, and the National Assembly Speaker has directed them to investigate alleged links between Mchunu and organised criminal groups.
The police union has also called for him to step aside pending the inquiry.
The scandal has placed the governing coalition under pressure, with critics arguing that the allegations undermine confidence in state institutions.
Investors have previously warned that persistent crime and perceived lack of accountability in law enforcement continue to weigh on South Africa’s economic outlook.
In a televised national address, Ramaphosa said that the accusations “call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation” and pose a threat to constitutional governance and national security.
Law professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed acting police minister.
The allegations were first made public by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, provincial police commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, during a Sunday briefing.
Mkhwanani claimed Mchunu had disbanded a specialized task team investigating political killings dating back to 2018, which had uncovered links to politicians, senior police, judiciary members, and businesspeople connected to a criminal network.
He alleged that more than one hundred case files were removed from the unit’s docket in March and remained unattended, some of which had been prepared for arrests.
Mkhwanani also presented digital evidence, including WhatsApp messages, suggesting Mchunu received financial support from businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to further his political ambitions.
Matlala, previously awarded a lucrative police contract, was arrested in May for attempted murder.
Mchunu, who has held the position of police minister since July 2024 and is a senior member of the governing party, denied all wrongdoing, describing the allegations as baseless and expressing willingness to cooperate fully with the inquiry.
He said he respected and welcomed the decision to investigate the matter.
The judicial commission, to be chaired by a deputy chief justice, will examine the role of current and former law enforcement officials, cabinet members, and other public servants.
It will receive cooperation from agencies including the National Prosecuting Authority and State Security Agency.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have demanded immediate and decisive action.
Parliamentary committees on police, justice, constitutional affairs, and intelligence have been tasked with urgent investigations, and the National Assembly Speaker has directed them to investigate alleged links between Mchunu and organised criminal groups.
The police union has also called for him to step aside pending the inquiry.
The scandal has placed the governing coalition under pressure, with critics arguing that the allegations undermine confidence in state institutions.
Investors have previously warned that persistent crime and perceived lack of accountability in law enforcement continue to weigh on South Africa’s economic outlook.
