By Palesa Matlala
- MK Party says President Cyril Ramaphosa broke the law by putting Senzo Mchunu on special leave while keeping him as minister.
- Zuma wants the court to block a new acting police minister and stop an inquiry into corruption claims in the police.
Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party has rushed to the Constitutional Court in a bid to stop President Cyril Ramaphosa from sidelining Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
The party filed an urgent application after Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave. MK says the move was unconstitutional and wants the court to overturn it.
Ramaphosa made the decision earlier this month after Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal police boss, made shocking claims about political interference in the South African Police Service.
Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and top cop Shadrack Sibiya of meddling in police work. He said they interfered with investigations and operations — claims that have rocked the police and government.
In response, Ramaphosa appointed Wits law professor Firoz Cachalia to act as police minister. He also set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations.
But Zuma is not having it. He says there is nothing in the Constitution that allows a president to place a minister on special leave while they still earn a salary and enjoy other perks.
“There is nothing said in the president’s affidavit which justified placing Minister Mchunu on special leave and thereby causing him to retain his ministerial title, salary and other perks or privileges at the expense of the long-suffering taxpayer,” Zuma said in court papers.
Ramaphosa defended his move, saying the Constitution allows him to act when there are serious allegations against a minister — to allow a proper investigation.
The Constitutional Court will hear the case on Wednesday, 30 July at 11am. MK has until Sunday, 27 July at 2pm to submit its arguments. Ramaphosa’s side must reply by Monday, 28 July.
Image Caption:
pictured above: Jacob Zuma. Image source: GCIS
