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Who Is Firoz Cachalia? Meet South Africa’s New Acting Police Minister

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2 months ago

July 14, 2025

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From law professor to crime-fighter: Can Firoz Cachalia clean up the police ministry?

When President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate “special leave” over serious allegations of links to organised crime, the spotlight quickly shifted to the man chosen to step in: Firoz Cachalia.

A seasoned legal scholar, anti-apartheid veteran, and former government official, Cachalia is set to take over the reins of one of South Africa’s most troubled portfolios and it’s not going to be an easy ride.

Here’s what you need to know about the man at the centre of this political shake-up.

A Legal Mind with Liberation Roots

Born in Benoni on 22 July 1958, Firoz Cachalia has deep roots in South Africa’s struggle history. He was an anti-apartheid activist in the Transvaal, and later became a founding member of the post-1994 Gauteng Provincial Legislature, representing the ANC.

Between 1999 and 2004, he served as Speaker of the Legislature, before stepping into a more hands-on public safety role as Gauteng MEC for Community Safety (2004–2009). His stint included navigating some of the province’s most intense crime waves, giving him firsthand exposure to policing challenges on the ground.

In 2009, he briefly served as the province’s MEC for Economic Development, before stepping away from frontline politics.

A Scholar with an Eye on Corruption

Today, Cachalia is a Professor of Law at Wits University and the director of the Mandela Institute. His areas of expertise include constitutional and administrative law, crucial grounding as he takes on a portfolio often mired in legality, ethics, and crisis.

Since 2022, he has chaired the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, a role that has seen him publicly advocate for accountability in both public and private sectors.

This gives him a unique advantage: he’s not just politically aware, but also well-versed in the systems that should keep South Africa’s criminal justice institutions clean.

Criticism from the EFF, but Constitutional Grounds May Hold

The EFF has already rejected Cachalia’s appointment, claiming it’s unconstitutional to appoint a non-Cabinet member as acting police minister.

They cite Section 98 of the Constitution, which states that presidential powers can only be assigned to existing ministers. But legal experts note that the Constitution does allow the president to appoint up to two ministers from outside Parliament and Cachalia is likely to be brought in under that exception.

In short, it’s not a constitutional crisis, it’s a technical workaround, but one that’s perfectly legal.

A Family of Reformers and Rebels

Cachalia’s appointment is also notable given his family’s long history in law and politics. His brother, Judge Azhar Cachalia, sits on the Supreme Court of Appeal. His cousin, Ghaleb Cachalia, is a DA MP known for speaking his mind and he had plenty to say about Firoz’s new job.

“Firoz is well-qualified to take on this position,” Ghaleb told The Citizen. “He has a track record in public safety, and his qualifications in law stand him in good stead. But the problem is the system, not the man.”

That’s a sentiment echoed across social media, where many acknowledge Cachalia’s integrity but question whether anyone can truly fix South Africa’s crime-fighting institutions without deeper structural reform.

Hands Full from Day One

Let’s be clear, Cachalia isn’t walking into a clean office. He’ll be inheriting a ministry rocked by damning claims: interference in police investigations, alleged protection of drug syndicates, and fractured trust between citizens and SAPS.

He also enters the fray at a time when violent crime is spiking in urban areas and public confidence in the justice system is scraping the bottom.

On top of that, he’ll need to oversee a commission of inquiry into his predecessor, manage a demoralised police force, and navigate the political landmines of coalition-era governance.

When Does He Start?

President Ramaphosa has said a caretaker will be announced to hold the fort until Cachalia retires from his Wits academic post at the end of July. He’s expected to formally assume the acting police minister role in August.

In the meantime, all eyes will be on how the police ministry functions during this transition and whether Cachalia can bring credibility, clarity, and courage to one of South Africa’s most difficult jobs.

Firoz Cachalia is not your typical political appointee and that might just be his greatest strength. But he’ll need more than credentials to survive the mess he’s walking into. He’ll need political will, independence, and above all, results.