After keeping South Africans waiting close to an hour, President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced backlash over his lacklustre family meeting addressing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu.
A week ago, Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of conducting a series of underworld dealings in a bombshell media briefing.
Mchunu has since requested to be placed on special leave.
KEY POINTS ON CYRIL RAMAPHOSA’S MKHWANAZI VS MCHUNU ADDRESS
Addressing South Africans via a televised broadcast, President Ramaphosa addressed Nhlanhla Mkhwana’s allegations that Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu was the brainchild of a criminal syndicate within his department.
His ten-minute address is outlined in the following key points…
- President Ramaphosa expressed his concern that if proven true, the allegations could undermine the constitution, the rule of law, and national security. It would require an “urgent and comprehensive investigation.”
- He would establish a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Advocate Sesi Baloyi and Advocate Sandile Khumalo will assist him.
- Despite outlining the lengthy process, Ramaphosa claimed that the commission would be attended to with “necessary urgency and thoroughness”.
- After its investigation, the commission would submit a final report to Ramaphosa, who would also expect an interim report after three and six months.
- Interim reports are expected after 3 and 6 months, respectively.
- Minister Senzo Mchunu has been placed on a [paid] leave of absence with immediate effect.
- Wits Professor Firoz Cachalia will be appointed acting Minister of Police at the end of July. In the interim, another cabinet member will take up the temporary post.
While many South Africans expected fireworks in the family meeting – like Ramaphosa’s suspension of either Minister Senzo Mchunu or Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi – the outcome was something of an anticlimax.
Ian Cameron, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, posted on X: “Police Capture is real. Parliament and SAPS leadership cannot wait for yet another long, expensive process while trust in policing collapses further. A commission is only as good as the will to act on its findings, and so far that track record is poor”.
Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane added: “This was not enough. We have had enough commissions of inquiry…I believe that Senzo Mchunu should have been fired, as well as the other ministers who have lied to parliament. This was a missed opportunity in that respect.”
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA’S NATIONAL ADDRESS?
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