South African Police Minister Faces Suspension Amid Serious Crime Allegations

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave due to serious allegations linking him to organized crime and corruption, sparking the launch of a judicial commission to investigate these claims.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to take an immediate leave of absence following alarming allegations suggesting he has connections to organized crime. During a live televised address, Ramaphosa revealed that a judicial commission will be established to thoroughly investigate the accusations, which he stressed pose a significant threat to the country's constitution and national security.

Mchunu has firmly denied any wrongdoing, declaring his readiness to contest the allegations made against him. Among the claims are accusations of meddling in investigations related to political assassinations and corruption within law enforcement agencies. In response, Ramaphosa stated that these allegations necessitate an urgent and extensive inquiry led by a senior judicial figure.

The commission's scope will extend beyond Mchunu, examining actions of both current and former police officials, as well as members of the national executive. Under increasing public pressure, Ramaphosa's decision follows recent revelations from KwaZulu-Natal's provincial police chief, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, alleging that Mchunu received dubious financial backing from a businessman accused of corruption to support his political ambitions.

Mkhwanazi also expressed concerns over Mchunu's dissolution of a pivotal task force established in 2018, which was primarily tasked with investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. Allegedly, this unit had obtained incriminating evidence connecting high-profile individuals to a drug cartel syndicate, which Mchunu purportedly ignored. Mkhwanazi further claimed that important investigation files were removed from the unit under Mchunu's directive, halting critical cases and arrests.

As this case unfolds, it could have significant implications for Mchunu's political future within the African National Congress (ANC), where he has been a prominent figure and a potential contender for leadership in the forthcoming 2027 elections.