Cape Town – Professor Firoz Cachalia, newly appointed as acting Minister of Police, has shed light on what may have caused the delay to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national address on Sunday, 13 July.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Cachalia said he was watching the Wimbledon final with his wife and had left his phone charging in another room when several calls from the Presidency went unanswered.
Officials eventually contacted his brother, retired judge Azhar Cachalia, and then his wife, before finally getting hold of him.
“I was ignoring the phone, actually. I’m not going to be able to do that anymore,” Cachalia said on Tuesday.
The national address, initially scheduled for 19:00, began 30 minutes late.
Ramaphosa announced that Cachalia would step in while Police Minister Senzo Mchunu takes a leave of absence amid investigations into alleged corruption.
Cachalia currently chairs the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC).
Speaking on his appointment, Cachalia said he was surprised but humbled by the opportunity.
He described the task ahead as daunting but said he was prepared to tackle it, citing a lifelong commitment to public service and anti-corruption efforts.