President faces legal action over police minister's special leave

THE EFF has served President Cyril Ramaphosa with a legal letter challenging his decision to place embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave.

- MASHUDU SADIKE

This move comes after allegations of corruption were made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The EFF contends that Ramaphosa does not have the constitutional power to put a Cabinet minister on leave of absence, instead suggesting he should relieve Mchunu of his duties.

The EFF isn’t the only party questioning Ramaphosa’s decisions, with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party also indicating that it’s drafting papers for a Constitutional Court challenge, and the DA confirming that police is now investigating the criminal complaint it lodged against Mchunu

Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of interfering with sensitive police investigations and colluding with businesspeople to disband the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal.

In response, Ramaphosa established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate these allegations, which is expected to take between six to twelve months.

Mchunu has been placed on leave of absence, with Professor Firoz Cachalia appointed as acting Minister of Police effective August 1.