Ramaphosa biding his time over what to do with damning allegations made by Mkhwanazi against Mchunu

President Cyril Ramaphosa is unlikely to take immediate action against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and is expected to engage with those directly implicated after a series of allegations were made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. 

Mkhwanazi made explosive claims during a press briefing on Sunday, saying that Mchunu ordered the unilateral disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team in KZN and transferred 121 politically sensitive dockets to Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya's office, where they have since been allegedly "neutralised".

Mkhwanazi also accused Mchunu of political interference and obstructing critical investigations by dismantling the task team.

Both men have denied the allegations.

Sources at a high level in government said Ramaphosa was still meeting with everyone involved in the Mchunu saga, and it was unlikely that he would take immediate action against the police minister.

Although it was not clear whether Ramaphosa had met Mchunu since returning from a BRICS working trip in Brazil, sources said the president may place Mchunu on special leave while consulting.

They said Ramaphosa needs to go through a consultation process before making any decisions. 

"The president still needs to meet with some of the people involved in this, speak to his party the ANC on the way forward and also speak to the arms of parliament," said a source.

The consultation process is expected to be lengthy and Ramaphosa's decision regarding Mchunu's future may not be made soon, a source said.

While these consultations are ongoing, Ramaphosa also needs to prepare for the State funeral of former deputy president David Mabuza, which will take place on Saturday.

Meanwhile, tensions are high in KwaZulu-Natal, where Mkhwanazi's allegations have sparked fears of retaliation and unrest. 

Warnings have been issued that escalating tensions could lead to violence akin to the July 2021 riots. Those events resulted in over 350 fatalities and an estimated R50 billion in damages to the local economy.

In the wake of Mkhwanazi's press conference, social media campaigns and reposts under the hastags #HandsOffMkhwanazi; #WeStandWithMkhwanazi and JulyRiots2.0 have raised concerns that digital agitation may lead to social unrest.

KZN Premier Thami Ntuli has publicly expressed support for Mkhwanazi, urging Ramaphosa to act without delay. Ntuli's spokesperson, Bongani Gina, stated, "The premier does not believe the matter will escalate into violence, but contingency plans are in place to avoid a repeat of the July 2021 unrest."

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, addressed the issue during a private firearm destruction operation in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg, on Wednesday, saying the damning allegations made by Mkhwanazi have eroded public trust.

"Let me unequivocally say the current state of affairs is unprecedented and it is concerning - it requires uncompromised intervention to restore public trust and stability in the organisation."

Masemola said he cannot say much about the veracity of the allegations until he has briefed Ramaphosa.

Political analyst Professor Nstikelelo Breakfast believes Ramaphosa should put Mchunu on special leave to show that he is taking the matter seriously.

"If I were President Cyril Ramaphosa, I would put Mchunu on special leave. He would not be firing him or anything like that, but he would be seen as doing something about the matter," said Breakfast.

“I can't confirm at the moment the validity of Mkhwanazi’s accusation against Mchunu…..What I can confirm is that it is the fault of the South African Police…this is a big thing and the president must be seen to be doing something."

Breakfast did not rule out Mchunu using the Phala Phala report 'that is under lock and key', against Ramaphosa if he acts against him.

“But I doubt the two subjects Mkhwanazi and Mchunu have enough power to start violence like the July unrest…They don't carry that much power, like Zuma does,” Breakfast said.

Another political analyst, Sandile Swana, said Ramaphosa has a long process to go through before making a decision.

 "The president has to be briefed by his staff on a number of key areas," said Swana.

He suggested that the allegations by Mkhwanazi fall under the Special Investigating Unit's mandate, advocating for a direct SIU investigation over a judicial inquiry. 

Swana also said there was potential for mismanagement within the police and called for the Public Service Commission, Auditor General or Treasury to investigate tender irregularities and internal controls.

“These executive interventions would ensure compliance with policing laws, extending to correctional services which is now implicated,” he said. 

He said that Ramaphosa's announcements must align with existing institutions and legal frameworks, with clear interventions and timeframes and warned of consequences if the ANC, GNU, and Ramaphosa attempt a cover-up the matter.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za