Cape Town – Advocate Dali Mpofu, representing former President Jacob Zuma in the Constitutional Court, has argued that President Cyril Ramaphosa acted unlawfully by placing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and appointing Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting minister.
Mpofu contends that while the Constitution allows the president to appoint two ministers from outside Parliament, it does not permit the appointment of an acting minister from outside the National Assembly.
He accused Ramaphosa of using the move to protect Cachalia’s position and salary, calling it a political favour rather than a lawful act.
“This whole manoeuvre is about how I save my friend and ensure that he has a salary for 3–5 years,” Mpofu said, claiming Cachalia has been inactive while still benefiting from state resources.
[WATCH]
Advocate Dali Mpofu has criticised the President’s decision to establish another commission of inquiry, arguing that it’s not in the public’s best interest. pic.twitter.com/OzNSqY9QaU— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 30, 2025
Mpofu also criticised Ramaphosa’s decision to establish another commission of inquiry, arguing it’s a waste of public funds and not in the public’s best interest. He said such commissions often take years to produce results, by which time the public has forgotten the core issues.
He questioned the logic of paying two ministers for the same portfolio — one inactive and the other acting — calling it wasteful and unjustifiable.
Ramaphosa had placed Mchunu on special leave following serious allegations of corruption involving the judiciary and public office holders made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
