Ramaphosa defends decision to appoint Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister
In papers filed with the country's top court, Ramaphosa said the costs involved in extending his Cabinet by another member are also justifiable for these reasons.
ALSO READ:
- Ramaphosa expresses commitment to accelerate prosecutions in high-profile graft cases
- MK Party challenge against Ramaphosa appointment of acting police minister looms
- Ramaphosa says firing Mchunu based on untested allegations would be unfair, 'create a dangerous precedent'
The president's recent decisions to place Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on special leave, replace him with Cachalia and establish a commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption with the police are the subject of a legal challenge by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, which is due to be heard in the Constitutional Court on Wednesday.
Ramaphosa has denied treating Mchunu as an ally in forming his decision to place him on special leave, rather than firing him as suggested by the MK Party.
Ramaphosa said to do so on untested allegations would destabilise the executive.
He said he's acting within his constitutional powers to place a minister who's facing serious allegations on leave and not to assign him any powers.
Ramaphosa added that placing a minister on special leave is not unprecedented, and that former Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize received the same treatment following allegations of impropriety related to COVID-19 procurement.
'Were I not empowered to suspend a minister pending the outcome of an investigation of allegations against him or her, I would be compelled in all cases, regardless of the circumstances, to dismiss that minister simply on the basis of allegations against him or her, even if they may, on investigation, turn out to be unfounded. This would unduly limit my powers to exercise my judgement on the merits of each case and to determine, based on the circumstances of each case, the appropriate course of action.'
Ramaphosa said that appointing Cachalia using his executive powers, permitting a parliamentary outsider to serve in Cabinet, rather than to appoint an existing member to the job, is to protect the legitimacy and integrity of the criminal justice system.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
3 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Trump says to name new labour statistics chief this week
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Monday that he would pick an "exceptional replacement" to his labour statistics chief, days after ordering her dismissal as a report showed weakness in the US jobs market. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump reiterated -- without providing evidence -- that Friday's employment report "was rigged." He alleged that commissioner of labour statistics Erika McEntarfer had manipulated data to diminish his administration's accomplishments, drawing sharp criticism from economists and a professional association. "We'll be announcing a new (labor) statistician some time over the next three-four days," Trump told reporters Sunday. He added Monday: "I will pick an exceptional replacement." US job growth missed expectations in July, figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed, and sharp revisions to hiring figures in recent months brought them to the weakest levels since the Covid-19 pandemic. Trump ordered the removal of McEntarfer hours after the figures were published. "We had no confidence. I mean the numbers were ridiculous," Trump told reporters Sunday. He charged that McEntarfer came up with "phenomenal" numbers on his predecessor Joe Biden's economy before the 2024 election. HIRING SLOWDOWN Even as he called for more reliable data Monday, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett conceded that the jobs market was indeed cooling. But Hassett maintained in a CNBC interview that this softening did not reflect the incoming effects of Trump's flagship tax and spending legislation -- signed into law early last month. US employment data point to challenges as companies took a cautious approach in hiring and investment while grappling with Trump's sweeping -- and rapidly changing -- tariffs this year. The United States added 73,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.2 percent, the Department of Labor reported. Hiring numbers for May were revised down from 144,000 to 19,000. The figure for June was shifted from 147,000 to 14,000. These were notably lower than job creation levels in recent years. During the pandemic, the economy lost jobs. Over the weekend, Hassett defended McEntarfer's firing in an NBC News interview: "The president wants his own people there so that when we see the numbers they are more transparent and more reliable." But Trump's decision has come under fire. William Beach, who previously held McEntarfer's post, said the move set a "dangerous precedent." The National Association for Business Economics condemned her dismissal, saying large revisions in jobs numbers "reflect not manipulation, but rather the dwindling resources afforded to statistical agencies." German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil on Monday emphasized the importance of supporting "independent, neutral and proven institutions." He said: "It is right that independent institutions remain independent and that politics do not interfere with them." McEntarfer, a labor economist, was confirmed to the commissioner role in January 2024.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on August 4, 2025
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed its support for the newly established Ad Hoc Committee in the South African National Assembly, tasked with investigating serious allegations of corruption, criminal syndicate infiltration, and political interference within the country's law enforcement agencies. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Monday, August 4, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know. EFF welcomes Parliamentary Committee to investigate corruption and infiltration in law enforcement The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed its support for the newly established Ad Hoc Committee in the South African National Assembly, tasked with investigating serious allegations of corruption, criminal syndicate infiltration, and political interference within the country's law enforcement agencies. To read on, click here. Ramaphosa admits SA is reeling from US tariffs, but insists it is not alone President Cyril Ramaphosa has conceded that South Africa is grappling with the United States' decision to impose a 30% tariff on local imports, but insists the country is not alone in facing mounting global trade challenges. To read on, click here. JMPD officer sentenced to six years for car crash that claimed three lives A Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMP) police officer has been sentenced to six years in prison for three counts of culpable homicide by the Lenasia Magistrate Court. To read on, click here. MK Party condemns ConCourt's dismissal of court challenge against Ramaphosa The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has voiced its strong condemnation of the Constitutional Court's recent decision to dismiss a critical challenge against President Cyril Ramaphosa's actions, asserting that the judiciary has failed to hold the head of state accountable for what the party describes as 'flagrant constitutional violations.' To read on, click here. Do you owe SARS? Easy ways to check your tax debt in 2025 Tax season is still in full swing, and while many South Africans are expecting refunds, others may be shocked to discover they owe the South African Revenue Service (SARS) some money. To read on, click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Ramaphosa says South Africa will engage US over new tariffs as trade challenges loom
President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated that South Africa's trade relations with the US have historically been complementary in nature. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Banele Ginidza President Cyril Ramaphosa has underscored the country's commitment to maintaining market access in the face of the United States' recent decision to impose a 30% tariff on South African imports. This significant shift in trade policy highlights the urgency for South Africa to navigate increasingly turbulent international trade waters and adapt its export strategies. In his latest newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa articulated a dual approach: not only will the government engage with the US to ensure mutually beneficial trade relations, but it will also accelerate the diversification of its export markets by boosting intra-African trade. Recognising the US as South Africa's third-largest trading partner, Ramaphosa acknowledged the measure's potential to disrupt industries heavily dependent on exports to the US, thereby affecting thousands of jobs and the country's fiscal stability. "Our foremost priority is protecting our export industries. As government, we have been engaging the United States to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. All channels of communication remain open to engage with the US," Ramaphosa said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Last month, US President Donald Trump said the sweeping tariffs will apply to 'any and all South African products sent into the United States,' and were being imposed outside of any sectoral trade deals. In a letter dated July 7, Trump said the move was 'necessary to correct the many years of South Africa's Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers,' blaming Pretoria for what he called 'unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States.' However, Ramaphosa reiterated that South Africa's trade relations with the US have historically been complementary in nature. He said South African exports did not compete with US producers and did not pose a threat to US industry. "Largely, our exports are inputs into US industries and therefore support the United States' industrial base. South Africa is also the biggest investor from the African continent into the US, with 22 of our companies investing in a number of sectors including, mining, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and the food chain," he said. "South African imports ultimately benefit US consumers in terms of both choice and cost. By way of example, citrus production is counter-seasonal and does not pose a threat to US production. "Furthermore, production by US companies has been on the decline for a number of years as yhe US sector grapples with low yields, citrus greening disease, and other factors unrelated to competition from imports. Imports from South Africa, the world's second largest citrus exporter, have filled a gap and contributed to stable supply and prices for US consumers."
