South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on an immediate leave of absence following explosive allegations linking him to organised crime networks, political interference, and obstruction of justice.

In a televised address to the nation on Sunday evening, President Ramaphosa announced the formation of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the claims, which he said “undermine the Constitution and threaten national security.”

The president named prominent law professor Firoz Cachalia as interim police minister, pending the outcome of the inquiry.

“These allegations, which include interference in investigations into political killings and corruption within our law enforcement agencies, call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation,” Ramaphosa stated. The inquiry will be chaired by the Deputy Chief Justice and will extend its focus beyond Mchunu, also scrutinising current and former police officials and members of the national executive.

The accusations stem from public statements made last week by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claimed that Mchunu had financial ties to controversial businessman Vusimuzi Matlala—allegedly using the funds to advance his political ambitions. Gen. Mkhwanazi further alleged that Mchunu orchestrated the disbandment of a 2018 task force investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal because it was closing in on high-profile individuals linked to a drug syndicate.

In a damning disclosure, Mkhwanazi said 121 case files—some with active arrest instructions—were removed from the unit under Mchunu’s order and without the approval of the national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. The files have reportedly sat idle at police headquarters since March.

Responding to the allegations, Minister Mchunu, 67, denied any wrongdoing. In a statement released Sunday night, he said he welcomed the president’s decision and was “ready to respond to the accusations.”

“Honour and integrity are the virtues I personally subscribe to and which we all need to make efforts to uphold,” Mchunu stated.

The embattled minister, a key figure in Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC), has long been seen as a potential contender for party leadership in 2027. Analysts say the scandal could have significant implications for both the ANC’s internal dynamics and public trust in state institutions.

Vusimuzi Matlala, the businessman at the centre of the controversy, was previously awarded a lucrative contract with the police before his arrest for attempted murder in May. Gen. Mkhwanazi revealed that text messages and payment records tied Matlala to Mchunu.

The revelations have sparked national outrage, with growing calls for transparency and reform within the country’s embattled police service.

President Ramaphosa said the inquiry’s findings would be made public and stressed the need to “restore integrity to our institutions.” Meanwhile, opposition leaders have welcomed the probe but warned against political interference in the process.

Chioma Kalu

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