PRESSURE MOUNTS ON RAMAPHOSA

MKP’s Hlophe says he is a president broken beyond repair’

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA, MASHUDU SADIKE, JONISAY| MAROMO AND SIMON MAJADIBODU

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa is facing mounting pressure as the EFF has threatened legal action challenging his decision to place the police minister on special leave while the MK Party has called on him to resign.

Ramaphosa faced a barrage of criticism when he appeared in the National Assembly yesterday to present the Presidency budget vote.

The president tried to defend his decisions to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence and to establish a commission of inquiry to look into the recent explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Ramaphosa said the allegations were serious but they were also "untested".

"It is, therefore, necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible, and thorough process so that we can ensure accountability and safeguard public confidence in the police service.

"Some have said that I should take immediate punitive steps against the Minister on the basis of untested allegations," he said.

"Not only would this be unfair, but it would create a dangerous precedent. The commission should be allowed to do its work." But the EFF has served Ramaphosa with a legal letter challenging his decision to place Mchunu on leave.

In the letter sent by England Slabbert Attorneys on behalf of the EFF, the party highlights several points that include the lack of constitutional power.