South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave following serious allegations of links to organised crime. In a televised address, Ramaphosa announced a judicial commission, led by the deputy chief justice, to investigate claims that Mchunu interfered in probes into political killings and law enforcement corruption. Law professor Firoz Cachalia has been named interim police minister.
Mchunu, a senior figure in the ruling African National Congress (ANC), denied wrongdoing but said he welcomed the investigation and pledged cooperation. The scandal intensified after KwaZulu-Natal police chief Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu disbanded a political killings task force to shield high-profile individuals with cartel links. Mkhwanazi claimed 121 case files were improperly removed on Mchunu’s orders, stalling arrests in at least five cases.
He also accused Mchunu of receiving political funding from controversial businessman Vusimuzi Matlala, who was arrested for attempted murder and had a cancelled police contract. Public pressure had been mounting on Ramaphosa to act swiftly.
