President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, as acting Minister of Police with immediate effect.
“Minister Mantashe will serve in this capacity until Prof Firoz Cachalia, who will retire from his position at the University of the Witwatersrand at the end of this month, assumes his position at the start of August,” the Presidency said in a statement.
Minister Mantashe will retain his responsibilities as Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
This comes after President Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence with immediate effect during an address to the nation on Sunday evening.
He announced a judicial commission of inquiry – led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga – into the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi had made several allegations about an alleged criminal syndicate that has spread into law enforcement and intelligence services.
He also made allegations against the Police Minister – alleging that Mchunu colluded with criminal elements to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal.
During the address to the nation, the President emphasised that the allegations “call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation”.
“To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I am establishing a judicial commission of Inquiry, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Justice Madlanga will be assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.
“In order for the Commission to execute its functions effectively, I have decided to put the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, on a leave of absence with immediate effect. The Minister has undertaken to give his full cooperation to the Commission to enable it to do its work,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
