South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave after serious accusations linking him to organised crime surfaced.
The president made the announcement during a televised address on Sunday evening, outlining steps to investigate the claims and protect national security.
Ramaphosa said a special judicial commission, led by the country’s deputy chief justice, will be formed to investigate the allegations.
The probe will focus not only on Mchunu but also on other current and former police officials, and some members of the national executive.
To ensure continuity, Ramaphosa appointed law professor Firoz Cachalia as the acting police minister.
Mchunu, who has denied the allegations, said he respects the president’s decision and will cooperate fully with the investigation.
The minister is a senior member of the African National Congress (ANC) and had been considered a potential candidate for party leadership at its next elective conference in 2027.
The accusations came from KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claimed Mchunu was receiving financial backing from businessman Vusimuzi Matlala to fund political activities.
Matlala had a police contract that was later canceled after his arrest for attempted murder.
According to Mkhwanazi, the police unit tasked with probing political killings was shut down under Mchunu’s direction, despite being in the middle of several sensitive investigations.
He said 121 case files were removed from the unit without proper clearance, and some included instructions for immediate arrests.
These developments have triggered widespread calls for accountability. The president’s decision to suspend Mchunu and launch a formal investigation is seen as a response to growing public pressure.
Mchunu maintains he has done nothing wrong and insists that he values transparency and ethical leadership.
The commission’s findings are expected to shape public confidence in the country’s efforts to combat corruption within its law enforcement agencies.