Pretoria: 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 role until Prof Firoz Cachalia, who will retire from his position at the University of the Witwatersrand at the end of this month, assumes the position at the start of August, the Presidency announced in a statement. Minister Mantashe will continue his duties as Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
According to South African Government News Agency, this appointment follows President Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence with immediate effect. During an address to the nation on Sunday evening, the President announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry. This inquiry, led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will investigate allegations made by KwaZulu Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi alleged the existence of a criminal syndicate infiltrating law enforcement and intelligence services. He also accused Police Minister Mchunu of colluding with criminal elements to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu Natal. The President stressed that these allegations necessitate an urgent and comprehensive investigation.
To address these concerns, the President has tasked Justice Madlanga to lead the judicial commission, with assistance from Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.