Ramaphosa Places South Africa Police Minister on Leave Amid Corruption Inquiry

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave following serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of receiving funding from a corrupt businessman, interfering with politically motivated murder investigations, including disbanding the Political Killings Task Team, and colluding with criminal syndicates involving politicians, law enforcement, and businesspeople. Mchunu has denied these allegations and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. In response, Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to investigate these claims and broader infiltration of law enforcement and judicial institutions by organized crime. Professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed as acting police minister effective August 1, and the commission is expected to provide interim reports within three and six months. The move comes amid growing pressure from political parties and citizens concerned about corruption and criminality's impact on South Africa's governance and economy.