By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of criminal collusion within the South African Police Service (SAPS)—and the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu—has triggered fierce reactions from political parties and unions.
While some welcomed the inquiry, many are calling the temporary “special leave” grant insufficient, legalistic and politically opportunistic.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemned the decision on Mchunu, saying he should be fired.
Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo described the move as political cover for a minister deeply implicated in criminal activities.
“Mchunu is not a bystander, he is a central player in a criminal enterprise,” he said.
The party pointed to revelations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged Mchunu instructed the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team, an elite unit that had secured over 100 convictions and handled more than 600 political assassination cases.
According to the EFF, Mchunu also allegedly colluded with SAPS tender beneficiary and criminal suspect Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, using state channels to suppress investigations and rig procurement processes.
The EFF also denounced the appointment of Prof. Firoz Cachalia, a non-Cabinet member, as acting Minister of Police.
Citing Sections 98 and 91(3)(c) of the Constitution, the party argued this move was unconstitutional and an abuse of power.
“Special leave is a cover-up for President Ramaphosa’s lack of political will. No one—regardless of political affiliation—must be above the law,” Thambo stated, demanding Mchunu’s full removal, arrest, prosecution and a parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the broader syndicate.”
The SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) adopted a cautiously supportive stance.
It welcomed the commission but with a strong caveat: the inquiry must not become another “smoke-and-mirrors” process that ends with little consequence.
The federation reminded the public of past commissions—such as Zondo, Nugent, and Mufamadi, which uncovered deep state rot but saw their findings watered down or ignored.
“We will not be duped again,” said general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
Saftu’s demands for the commission include full independence, transparency, time-bound to avoid stalling, powers to subpoena and investigate effectively, guaranteed anonymity and protection for whistleblowers and enforceable recommendations with visible consequences for inaction.
The federation emphasised that “special leave” must only mark the start of accountability.
Should the inquiry expose misuse of state power, Mchunu and the entire chain of command, including the president, if implicated, must face consequences.
It has pledged to mobilise if the commission leads to no action.
The Democratic Alliance’s Ian Cameron described the situation as a “crisis of trust” in policing and warned that South Africans could not afford yet another toothless inquiry.
“Police capture is real,” Cameron declared, lamenting that Parliament and SAPS leadership appeared content to delay meaningful action behind a long and costly judicial process.
“We’ve seen this movie before,” he said, referencing the R1 billion Zondo Commission, which he argued failed to deliver accountability despite revealing sweeping corruption in state institutions.
Cameron questioned the logic behind the commission’s mandate, particularly Ramaphosa’s statement that it would determine who, if anyone, should be suspended within SAPS.
“Where is the urgency?” he asked. “The National Commissioner should already have suspended every senior official implicated in this crisis to protect the integrity of investigations.”
Despite his broader criticisms, Cameron cautiously welcomed the appointment of Cachalia, calling it “at least one step to improve public trust”.
ActionSA said Ramaphosa’s delayed response amounted to “kicking the can down the road”.
MP Dereleen James said the president’s week-long deliberation before placing Mchunu on leave was “baffling,” given the serious nature of Mkhwanazi’s claims.
It dismissed the commission as an unnecessary duplication of work, that should already be handled by IPID and law enforcement agencies.
“The Zondo Commission already cost this country billions. We cannot afford another report that gathers dust while the powerful evade justice,” James said.
The judicial commission, headed by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is formally mandated to investigate allegations of organised crime collusion with law enforcement, interference in investigations and abuse of power.
Interim reports are expected in three and six months, with the final report going to the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice.
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