President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his decision not to dismiss suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu from Cabinet, saying due process must be followed while serious allegations against him are investigated. Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave to allow for a full examination of claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Responding to parliamentary questions from MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe, Ramaphosa said the allegations were serious and had potential implications for national security and public safety. He established a Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System to investigate the allegations made by General Lieutenant Mkhwanazi.
Investigations and Accountability
The commission is actively investigating the matter, and Ramaphosa’s actions are guided by constitutional obligations. Executive accountability is sourced from the Constitution, and members of the executive are constitutionally obligated not to act in any way inconsistent with the Constitution.
According to the Constitution of South Africa, executive accountability is triggered when constitutional obligations are not met. Where Parliament uncovers serious governance failures, it has a constitutional duty and power to ensure that all executive organs of state in the national sphere are accountable to it.
Key Points
- President Ramaphosa placed Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on special leave
- A Commission of Inquiry is investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
- Executive accountability is guided by constitutional obligations
Meanwhile, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said the Crime Intelligence division remained functional despite ongoing challenges. The division still executes its mandate in terms of gathering, analyzing, and disseminating crime intelligence to support policing operations.
For more information on the Constitution and executive accountability, visit the Parliament of South Africa website.
