By Johnathan Paoli
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has launched a scathing attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Government of National Unity (GNU), and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, demanding urgent action in response to what it describes as a “constitutional crisis” gripping the nation.
In a fiery media briefing led by MKP parliamentary leader and former judge John Hlophe, chief whip Colleen Makhubele, and MP David Skosana, the party condemned Ramaphosa’s decision to establish a judicial commission of inquiry into the damning corruption allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The party leaders dismissed the move as “too little, too late,” accusing the President of using the commission to shield high-level criminal networks embedded within the state.
“This is a crisis that runs through all three arms of the state — the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. The commission will not dismantle criminal networks. It will only protect the ANC and its leaders from accountability,” Makhubele said.
The party cited Mkhwanazi’s allegations, which implicate Mchunu, SAPS senior officials, and Metro Police officers in criminal syndicates involving drug cartels and political assassinations.
“These are not unverified rumours, Mkhwanazi is a senior police official with the rank of Lieutenant-General. He would not make such claims without credible evidence,” Hlope said.
The party sharply criticised the President’s move to place Mchunu on “special leave,” arguing there is no legal provision for such action.
“There is only the power to appoint or dismiss ministers,” said Hlophe.
“Anything else is unconstitutional. Minister Mchunu must be fired.”
The appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police also came under heavy scrutiny.
The MKP claims that South Africa is now “effectively operating with two police ministers,” calling it a breach of Section 206(1) of the Constitution.
“This dual appointment is not only illegal but completely unworkable. How can Mchunu still sit on portfolio committees, while someone else executes his executive functions? This is administrative chaos,” Skosana said.
The party also questioned the legality of the commission’s leadership, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga of the Constitutional Court, who, according to MKP, has not yet vacated his post.
“This violates Section 165 of the Constitution, judges cannot perform executive functions while still sitting on the bench,” Hlophe said.
The MKP warned that the involvement of sitting justices and former advisors now serving in oversight roles undermines institutional autonomy and creates conflicts of interest.
The MKP argued that the systematic dismantling of political killings task teams, especially in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, proves the state is no longer acting in the interests of its people.
The party said it has already submitted a motion to Parliament for an urgent snap debate on the matter and referred Minister Mchunu to the Joint Ethics Committee for misleading the legislature.
The party also submitted a formal letter to the President demanding the minister’s dismissal.
On the ground, the MKP says it is mobilising for mass action.
“Yesterday’s march was just the beginning. South Africans must rise. We are calling for peaceful, lawful resistance to this unconstitutional government,” Hlophe said.
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