Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been placed on special leave with full pay, despite facing serious allegations. Critics are calling this a “paid political holiday”, as he keeps his ministerial salary, perks, and blue lights while stepping aside.
Legal expert Willie Spies told IOL News that President Cyril Ramaphosa has the power to fire ministers. Instead, he allowed Mchunu to take leave with full benefits.
Spies said the leave costs taxpayers a lot, especially since Mchunu remains an ANC Member of Parliament (MP) and continues to attend Parliament
Explosive Allegations From KZN Police Commissioner
The drama started when Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of being part of a syndicate tied to drug cartels and criminal interests.
He claimed Mchunu worked with Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and information dealer Brown Mogotsi to shut down a political killings task team in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to Mkhwanazi, 121 active dockets were withdrawn after the unit was closed in March 2024. These cases were linked to political murders.
He presented WhatsApp messages, SAPS reports, and call records to back his claims. Mchunu had told police leadership in a letter that the unit had “outlived its usefulness.”
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Ramaphosa Appoints Acting Minister
In response, President Ramaphosa formed a Judicial Commission of Inquiry and placed Mchunu on leave.
On Tuesday, Gwede Mantashe was appointed as acting Minister of Police, while still managing his current role in Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
By August 2025, Professor Firoz Cachalia will take over police duties after retiring from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Tension in Parliament Over Mchunu’s Role
While Mchunu is no longer active in Cabinet, he continues to attend Parliament as an ANC MP.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula confirmed this on Tuesday, stating that Mchunu will still perform MP duties during sittings.
However, legal expert Spies explained that he will not serve on any committees. His only duty is to attend National Assembly sessions or send an apology if absent.
Spies said that while this is legally allowed, the president could have removed him from Cabinet altogether until the matter is resolved.
Analysts Call It a Strategic Move
Independent analyst Goodenough Mashego believes the leave is more about protecting political loyalists than ensuring justice.
He said Mchunu’s leave blurs the lines between being a regular MP and a Cabinet member. While not active in his ministerial role, he still enjoys its perks.
Mashego said Mchunu’s presence in Parliament creates confusion, as MPs are meant to hold ministers accountable. In this case, Mchunu is both an MP and part of the executive.
Mashego argued that the logical step would be to remove him fully from Parliament or Cabinet, not leave him in-between.
What Happens Next?
With pressure rising from EFF and MK Party, the president may be forced to take stronger action.
For now, the public is left with many questions, as Mchunu stays paid, protected, and politically present, despite being at the heart of a growing scandal.
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Hi, I’m Amandeep Singh, a content writer at Ramnath Intercollage. I share updates on jobs, internships, and scholarships across South Africa using official and trusted sources. My aim is to make every post easy to read and helpful for anyone looking to apply.
