President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence following explosive allegations linking senior police leadership to criminal syndicates. The move has ignited public debate across South Africa, raising pressing concerns about corruption within law enforcement and the executive’s commitment to accountability.

The Presidency released a statement confirming that Mchunu would be taking a leave of absence “in the interest of transparency and the integrity of the ongoing investigation.” This comes after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused unnamed high-ranking police officials of working in collusion with criminal syndicates — claims that have shaken the national security discourse.

President Ramaphosa also announced the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry, tasked with investigating these alleged links between law enforcement and organised crime. The commission will operate independently, and its findings are expected to shape the future of policing and justice reform in South Africa.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions. While some applaud the President’s commitment to due process, others have criticized the delay in responding to mounting evidence of corruption.

Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), have called for the full suspension of all implicated officials and immediate transparency around the commission’s scope and timeline. Social media platforms are abuzz with South Africans expressing frustration over the growing list of high-profile corruption allegations involving government officials.

Senzo Mchunu, a senior ANC figure and former Minister of Water and Sanitation, was appointed Minister of Police in early 2024. His leadership has been marked by both operational successes and growing scrutiny over internal departmental issues. The current development marks the most significant challenge of his tenure.