South African Minister Senzo Mchunu Suspended Over Corruption Claims

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu after serious accusations of ties to a criminal syndicate and meddling in major investigations.

The announcement came during a televised speech on Sunday, prompted by claims from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu of obstructing probes into politically motivated murders.

Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu shut down a special task force looking into political killings, pointing to evidence like WhatsApp messages. He also claimed over 100 case files were removed, halting progress on those investigations. Mchunu, a key figure in Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC), has denied the accusations, insisting they’re unfounded and that he’s committed to upholding the law.

• South Africa’s Police Minister Senzo Mchunu Suspended Over Corruption, Syndicate Ties
• Ramaphosa Suspends Minister Amid Probe Into Political Killings and Missing Case Files
• Police Minister Mchunu Faces Suspension as Judicial Commission Probes Corruption Claims

Ramaphosa, who’s made fighting corruption a cornerstone of his presidency, stressed the need for clarity. “These allegations are serious and require a thorough investigation,” he said, revealing plans for a judicial commission led by the deputy chief justice to dig into claims of criminal influence in law enforcement. Law professor Firoz Cachalia will step in as acting police minister.

The suspension has stirred up tension in Ramaphosa’s coalition government, especially with the Democratic Alliance (DA), which pushed for a parliamentary investigation. Opposition groups, like the MK Party, slammed the decision to put Mchunu on leave, demanding he be fired outright. “People are losing their lives every day; we need bold action,” said MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.

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South Africa’s rampant crime, which the World Bank says costs about 10% of GDP each year, has frustrated businesses and investors. These allegations against Mchunu have raised fresh concerns about the justice system’s reliability, putting more pressure on Ramaphosa’s government as it navigates trade disputes with the U.S. and internal coalition conflicts.

The judicial commission will investigate whether top officials have supported or profited from criminal networks, with its findings likely to influence the ANC’s leadership race in 2027, where Mchunu was seen as a potential candidate.