In the latest round of political drama in South Africa, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are fuming over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on “special leave.”
To them, this move is not just questionable—it’s unconstitutional, calculated, and a blatant attempt to dodge accountability.
Acting Police Minister Sparks Legal Questions
The EFF hasn’t just stopped at calling out the suspension.
They’re also rejecting Ramaphosa’s choice of an acting police minister—because the person appointed isn’t even a sitting Cabinet member.
According to the Constitution (specifically Section 98), only a current minister can fill in temporarily for another.
But Ramaphosa leaned on Section 91(3)(c)—which allows for up to two ministers to be appointed from outside Parliament.
The EFF is adamant: that clause doesn’t apply to acting appointments.
“The decision is not just unlawful,” the party argued, “it’s a deliberate abuse of the Constitution.”
‘Double Salary’ Accusation Hits a Nerve
The EFF also pointed out the financial irony in all this.
While Mchunu is off duty but still being paid, the acting minister gets a paycheck too—effectively inflating the Cabinet and, in their eyes, misusing public funds.
They claim this “special leave” is just a sneaky way to let Mchunu operate in the shadows, potentially still pulling the strings on police operations while evading public scrutiny.
Political Killings Task Team Controversy Resurfaces
At the heart of the anger is a far more serious issue: the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.
This elite unit had been investigating over 600 politically motivated murders and had already secured more than 100 convictions.
According to KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Mchunu personally ordered the team to be shut down—without consulting national or provincial commissioners.
That decision, the EFF claims, jeopardised over 120 criminal cases, especially in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Alleged Links to Tender Deals and ANC Funding
The EFF didn’t hold back when it came to naming names.
They accuse Mchunu of having ties to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a tender beneficiary with alleged criminal connections, who is said to have bankrolled ANC campaigns.
They also say Mchunu interfered in police procurement processes and even tried to suspend Mkhwanazi.
To the EFF, this is proof that he’s not fighting crime—he’s protecting it.
“Mchunu is not a custodian of law,” the EFF declared.
“He’s a protector of lawlessness.”
A Call for Action, Not Delay
The party isn’t mincing words.
They’re demanding that Senzo Mchunu be removed, arrested, and prosecuted.
They’ve also called on Parliament to form an ad-hoc committee to fully investigate the accusations—not just against Mchunu, but anyone involved, including SAPS officials, political figures, and even members of the judiciary.
“This is not new,” the EFF warned. “We’ve long said the ANC has become a mafia-style syndicate protecting criminals and dodging accountability.”