Ramaphosa holds back on Mchunu decision as Madlanga Commission digs deeper

President Cyril Ramaphosa is under growing pressure to act against suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu, but he insists he won’t be rushed.

For now, the president says he wants the “full picture” before deciding Mchunu’s political future. And that means waiting for the final word from the Madlanga Commission.

A commission under the spotlight

The commission, chaired by former Constitutional Court judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is probing serious allegations of corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

It’s not just another inquiry gathering dust. The stakes are high.

Suspended National Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has returned to the witness stand, facing tough cross-examination over the controversial disbandment of the political killings task team, known as the PKTT. That unit was created to tackle politically motivated murders, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where factional battles have long turned deadly.

The decision to shut it down is now at the centre of the storm.

Why Mchunu was placed on special leave

Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave after explosive allegations surfaced from KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi claimed Mchunu interfered in policing matters and moved to disband the PKTT to protect individuals allegedly linked to politically connected crime networks. He also alleged links between Mchunu and controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who previously held and later lost, a R360 million police contract.

These claims sent shockwaves through political circles and onto social media, where hashtags calling for accountability began trending. Some South Africans praised Ramaphosa for placing Mchunu on leave swiftly. Others accused him of dragging his feet by not firing him outright.

“The president wants the full picture”

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has defended the president’s cautious approach, saying Mchunu has not yet completed his testimony before the commission.

According to Magwenya, the interim findings are not the final word. The president, despite criticism, wants to wait until the inquiry concludes before making a definitive call.

In a political climate where snap judgments often dominate headlines, Ramaphosa appears to be betting on due process even if it costs him politically.

Interim findings and immediate action

The commission’s interim report, submitted in December 2025, found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing involving several current and former officials, including members linked to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and senior SAPS figures.

Ramaphosa has already directed that investigative teams follow up on those recommendations. Some actions have reportedly been taken against implicated individuals.

In other words, while the final report is pending, the clean-up has already begun.

A broader crisis in policing

This saga speaks to a deeper issue. South Africa’s criminal justice system has faced years of credibility challenges from state capture-era revelations to ongoing accusations of political meddling.

The creation of the Madlanga Commission itself was a response to mounting public concern that corruption within law enforcement structures was undermining the rule of law. Now, as testimony unfolds, it’s clear that the inquiry is exposing uncomfortable truths about how power, politics and policing intersect.

Meanwhile, Parliament has set up its own ad hoc committee to examine Mkhwanazi’s claims, operating separately from the commission. That parallel process adds yet another layer to an already complex situation.

What happens next?

For now, Mchunu remains on special leave. Sibiya continues to face questioning. And the country waits.

If the commission’s final findings confirm wrongdoing, Ramaphosa may have little room to manoeuvre. If not, the president will need to justify why one of his key ministers was sidelined for months.

Either way, the outcome will shape public confidence in both the presidency and the police service.

In a country weary of corruption scandals, many South Africans are watching closely, not just for another report, but for real consequences.

{Source: The Citizen}

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