Action Society is outraged that, despite explosive allegations of collusion with crime syndicates against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, President Cyril Ramaphosa has failed to act decisively. Instead of dismissing Mchunu, Ramaphosa launched the Madlanga Commission—another expensive judicial inquiry that history shows will cost millions and produce little meaningful change. Today, Firoz Cachalia was officially sworn in as Acting Minister of Police, weeks after his appointment was announced following Mchunu being placed on special leave.
South Africa has had three different police ministers in the past ten years—Fikile Mbalula, Bheki Cele and Senzo Mchunu—reflecting a troubling pattern of instability and controversy at the top of the police ministry. The current scandal involves Mchunu, who was accused on 6 July 2025 by KwaZulu Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of colluding with crime syndicates—disbanding a task force investigating politically motivated killings, seizing over 100 case files, and obstructing investigations to protect high profile figures. Mchunu denies these allegations, labelling them baseless insinuations.
Announced on 13 July, the Madlanga Commission—the formal Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System—is a deeply inadequate response. The commission is expected to cost approximately R147.9 million over six months, according to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. This bears worrying resemblance to the Zondo Commission, which cost nearly R1 billion but produced limited prosecutions or structural reform. Ramaphosa’s reluctance to remove Mchunu contrasts starkly with his willingness to dismiss other ministers over comparatively minor infractions.
Action Society has no confidence that the Madlanga Commission will yield meaningful accountability. Based on past experience, it is unlikely to result in prosecutions or policy change and risks becoming another costly exercise with no tangible outcomes. We reiterate: Senzo Mchunu must be removed from office immediately, and investigative authorities should act independently without waiting for another drawn out inquiry.
We welcome the parliamentary committee appointed to investigate these allegations. The committee has a 90 day mandate to deliver a report. Action Society hopes that within this period it will provide a clear, actionable account of what has occurred and who must be held accountable—the only realistic mechanism now capable of delivering truth and justice.
Juanita du Preez, spokesperson for Action Society, said: “It is unacceptable that while serious allegations rock our criminal justice system, the response has been to launch yet another high cost commission instead of firing those implicated. We call on the president to act with the same urgency when crime is alleged as he does over political infractions.”
Action Society will continue to monitor developments closely and demand decisive action—not another expensive commission—if meaningful reform is to be achieved.
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