‘My fellow South Africans': Here’s what you need to know ahead of Ramaphosa’s address tonight

Opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Democratic Alliance, MK Party, ActionSA and IFP, are calling for Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to be fired following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Sunday marks a week since Mkhwanazi publicly accused Mchunu of interfering in police investigations and protecting criminal networks. 

Following the explosive allegations, there’s been increasing pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to act ahead of his scheduled address to the nation at 7.30pm on Sunday.

Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of disbanding the Political Killings Task Team in March, effectively withdrawing 121 active dockets, many linked to politically motivated killings. 

He presented WhatsApp messages, South African Police Service (SAPS) documents, and cellphone records, alleging a coordinated effort to dismantle the unit.

He also implicated Brown Mogotsi, a “comrade” of Mchunu, in communicating with suspects, including businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who secured a R360 million SAPS contract in 2024. 

The contract has since been canceled. 

According to Mkhwanazi, Mogotsi informed Matlala of the unit’s disbandment and that SAPS crime detection head Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya had taken over the dockets.

Financial links allegedly connect Mchunu, Mogotsi and Matlala to political fundraisers and events.

“This was no accident,” Mkhwanazi said.

“It was a calculated move to shield a criminal syndicate embedded in law enforcement and politics.”

Since its formation in 2018, the task team handled 612 cases and secured more than 100 convictions. Mkhwanazi said efforts to shut down the unit intensified after weapons linked to high-profile assassinations were uncovered.

Mchunu, in a December 2024 letter to National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola, claimed the unit had “outlived its usefulness.”

However, Masemola later denied authorising its closure.

In response to the claims, several opposition parties have lodged criminal complaints. 

The DA filed a complaint at Cape Town Central police station, while the MK Party opened a case at Brooklyn police station. 

The EFF also filed a complaint with Parliament’s Ethics Committee, accusing Mchunu of constitutional violations and unlawful interference in SAPS operations.

The DA said it expects Ramaphosa to take decisive action.

EFF leader Julius Malema said Mchunu should be dismissed immediately.

“Well, the president should fire Mchunu immediately,” Malema told reporters Saturday at the funeral of former Deputy President David Mabuza in Barberton, Mpumalanga. 

“He is new in the job but already tainted. He went to that institution to do wrong things.”

MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said: “We refuse to stand idle in the face of injustice and remain dedicated to upholding the course of the law.”

Zwakele Mncwango, KwaZulu-Natal chairperson of ActionSA, rejected the idea of a commission of inquiry, saying it would be wasteful.

“They must face jail. They must go through the prosecution processes like everyone else. Why must we have commissions and waste money?” Mncwango said.

However, the IFP called for an independent commission of inquiry led by a retired judge.

“The SAPS ecosystem cannot self-investigate, as it is both subject to and a participant in the allegations,” said IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa. 

“We further call for Minister Mchunu to be placed on special leave until the commission concludes its work.”

He said Ramaphosa must act swiftly “for the sake of national interest and security.

Meanwhile, ordinary South Africans also echoed the political outrage.

“Ramaphosa should use his address to deliver a strong anti-corruption message. To restore order and stability, he should dismiss Mchunu and also Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane,” said Dipuo Modiba from Mokopane, in Limpopo. 

“Ramaphosa must open a commission to investigate the allegations made against Mchunu,” said Londeka Kunene from Soshanguve, Pretoria.

In a statement, the presidency said Ramaphosa would “take the nation into his confidence” during his address, following engagements with key stakeholders.

There’s been reports that Mchunu asked Ramaphosa to place him on leave following explosive allegations against him.

IOL News previously reported political analyst Goodenough Mashego said Ramaphosa may opt to suspend rather than fire Mchunu, given his role in securing African National Congress (ANC) support in KwaZulu-Natal.

“In a normal democracy, a minister facing such allegations would step aside. But because Mchunu played a key role in KZN, Ramaphosa may avoid firing him to keep that support base intact.”

Mashego said Ramaphosa could use the moment to reshuffle his Cabinet and appoint someone with real policing experience, even from outside the ANC.

“This is the time to look beyond party lines,” he said. “There’s a Government of National Unity now. Ramaphosa could appoint someone from another party.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

* The story was updated to change the time.