Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have raised concerns over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to establish a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
During a televised address on Sunday, Ramaphosa announced that Mchunu would take a leave of absence with immediate effect, following serious corruption allegations levelled against him by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The president has deemed it “necessary” to launch the commission of inquiry into the serious allegations, saying the move is vital to “restore public trust in the police service” and put an end to the lingering shadow of state capture in South Africa.
The commission must deliver reports in three and six months.
“As we intensify the fight against crime, it is vital that we safeguard the integrity and credibility of the police and other law enforcement agencies,” said Ramaphosa.
Reacting to the development in an interview with SABC News, DA leader John Steenhuisen cautioned that a commission of inquiry holds little value unless it leads to real consequences.
“I think South Africans have grown sceptical of commissions of enquiry. We are now almost two years down the track from the release of the Zondo commission report, without a single high-profile conviction,” said Steenhuisen.
He further questioned the consistency of executive accountability, pointing out that some Cabinet members remain in office despite facing serious charges — raising concerns about the criteria used to determine who should step down and who remains.
“I think many South Africans are asking themselves questions about Ministers, Nkabane and Simelani.
📺 [MUST WATCH] DA Leader John Steenhuisen responds to the President’s address following shocking corruption allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and senior SAPS Officials.
Full DA response: https://t.co/WPWPYtAwET pic.twitter.com/vYhWWbDyXH
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) July 13, 2025
“Yes, Minister Mchunu this evening has now been suspended, but we have others around the cabinet table with serious question marks hanging over their heads.
“And I think South Africans are right to be asking the questions ‘well what about the others in the cabinet’?”, said Steenhuisen.
In an official statement, the DA called for greater accountability from Ramaphosa and vowed to maintain pressure on the presidency, insisting that decisive action be taken against those implicated.
The DA notes President Ramaphosa’s announcement of a judicial commission of inquiry into the explosive allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. However commissions are only as good as their consequenes.https://t.co/WPWPYtB4ur
These…
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) July 13, 2025
“The DA will not accept a years-long process that gathered damning evidence only to deliver zero accountability.
“The country cannot afford another elaborate filing cabinet of findings that gather dust while the politically connected escape justice.
“The DA will hold the president to account on every finding and recommendation made by this committee, and we will fight in cabinet and parliament for swift and visible action.
“Parliament must not be sidelined and the work of parliament to hold the executive to account must continue unabated and undeterred,” said the DA.
The EFF also issued a statement strongly criticising Ramaphosa’s decision, describing it as an unlawful act and a blatant misuse of state resources.
The EFF’s Statement on the Decision to Place Senzo Mchunu on Special Leave
-This decision is not only illegal, it is also a flagrant abuse of state resources. It allows Senzo Mchunu to continue drawing a full ministerial salary under the guise of “special leave”, while the… pic.twitter.com/Krgo2iURHG
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 13, 2025
“The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is appalled by the decision of President Cyril Ramaphosa to place Minister Senzo Mohunu on ‘special leave’ instead of removing him entirely from his position.
“This so-called ‘special leave’ is a cowardly deflection, designed to shield a corrupt Minister whose involvement in organised crime has been laid bare by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhianhla Mkhwanazi,” said EFF.
