By Evans Dakwa
South Africa – – President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave as he announced the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate allegations made by Kwazulu Natal SAPS Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkwanazi against the Minister.
The allegations levelled against him relate to blatant corruption and abuse of power including aiding of criminal syndicates.
The explosive allegations were made by Mkwanazi when the President was out of the country attending a BRICS summit. So far reaching have been the accusations that Ramaphosa’s hand has been forced into establishing a commission of inquiry to be headed by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
The commission’s deliverables include producing an Interim report expected after 3 months and 6 months, respectively with the final report to be sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice.
A special leave refers to a temporary suspension or removal of the Minister from his official duties without it being a disciplinary action or resignation. It is necessary for the Minister who is the accused in the Mkwanazi expose to step aside to ensure the integrity of the investigation by avoiding conflict of interest.It is not a dismissal yet as he retains all benefits but won’t be able to do work.
With Mchunu’s special leave taking effect immediately, President Ramaphosa has appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia to be acting Minister from effective August.
South Africa has been riddled with cases of high profile killings some of which go unsolved for years, massive corruption in public offices and the allegations against Mkwanazi are so damaging to the country more so the ruling party ANC which has been in power since 1994.Political analyst are awaiting to see if the ANC will take any further action against Mchunu but most are in agreement that his political career is hanging by a very thin thread.