Professor Firoz Cachalia to be sworn in as acting police minister following MK Party's dismissal by ConCourt
"In accordance with section 91(3)(c) President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Prof. Cachalia as Minister in the National Executive with the expressed intention that following the swearing-in, Minister Cachalia will be designated to act as Minister of Police," said the presidency in a statement.
Cachalia, 66, is a former anti-apartheid activist, lawyer, academic and long-time public servant.
His appointment comes after the Constitutional Court on Thursday dismissed an application brought by MK Party challenging Ramaphosa's decision to appoint a non-Member of Parliament.
The MK Party brought an urgent application challenging Ramaphosa's move by placing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and announced Cachalia as the acting Police Minister.
MK Party argued that the move was unconstitutional, flagging serious legal and procedural violations.
Mchunu was removed following explosive allegations of political interference and unlawful conduct made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
On Wednesday, at the apex court in Johannesburg, MK Party's legal representative Dali Mpofu SC described Ramaphosa's actions as "unconstitutional and ultra vires."
He told the court that Ramaphosa overstepped his constitutional powers by placing Mchunu on 'leave of absence' and then delegating his ministerial duties to someone outside Cabinet.
According to Mpofu, these actions contravened Section 98 of the Constitution, which governs the appointment of acting ministers when a Cabinet member is absent or incapacitated.
'The appointment of Cachalia is plainly unlawful,' Mpofu said.
'Section 98 mandates that only a Cabinet member may be appointed to act in another's place. Ramaphosa's failure to comply is a breach of a constitutional obligation.'
[email protected]
IOL News
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
Calls for Accountability in South Africa's Leadership
The recent controversy surrounding Deputy President Paul Mashatile's failure to declare a diamond gift from a dubious businessman, coupled with Ramaphosa's refusal to demand accountability, exemplifies a leadership void marked by impunity. Image: GCIS The continued erosion of ethical governance under President Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership is a betrayal of the democratic values South Africans fought to uphold. Research from a 2013 study on South African local government (ResearchGate) underscores a persistent pattern of ethical lapses among public officials, a crisis that has only deepened under Ramaphosa's watch. The recent controversy surrounding Deputy President Paul Mashatile's failure to declare a diamond gift from a dubious businessman, coupled with Ramaphosa's refusal to demand accountability, exemplifies a leadership void marked by impunity. Even declarations made in Parliament seem weak and ineffective at holding people accountable, except for just being a mere 'slap on the wrist.' This echoes the unresolved Phala Phala scandal, where millions in hidden cash exposed a troubling lack of transparency. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Cabinet ministers from Ramaphosa's ANC are repeatedly singled out for corruption allegations, yet the President shirks his constitutional duty to enforce integrity. Ramaphosa himself has said, 'I can't answer for him, and he has answers for all his matters… let's wait for that,' deferring responsibility to the Deputy President. This is not leadership that upholds a no-nonsense stance over allegations of inappropriate behaviours. He must demand accountability from his Deputy President and ministers without fear or favour, ensuring a clean and ethical government. Instead, Ramaphosa's silence and deflection foster a culture of unaccountability that undermines public trust, a trend criticised since the post-apartheid era. We condemn this failure unequivocally. South Africans deserve a government that reflects the highest standards of integrity, not one mired in scandal and evasion. President Ramaphosa must act decisively, hold his executive to account, and restore the moral authority of his office. Anything less is an affront to the nation's democratic aspirations. Teboho Loate COPE Acting Deputy President
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Donald Trump hits South Africa with 30% tariffs - the HIGHEST in Africa
US President Donald Trump has announced that South African goods will be hit with a 30% tariff starting on 7 August, in a move that threatens to derail one of the country's most critical trade relationships. The tariffs mark the highest imposed on any sub-Saharan African nation, and come amid increasingly strained diplomatic ties between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The decision is a major blow to South Africa, whose exports to the United States – its second-largest trading partner – are vital for industries such as automobiles, agriculture, textiles, and wine. Until now, these sectors had enjoyed duty-free access to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). That arrangement, introduced in 2000 to boost African economic development through trade, now appears effectively terminated ahead of its scheduled review in September. In a sweeping move, the US has also imposed tariffs on other African nations: 30% for South Africa, Algeria, Libya for 25% for Tunisia for 15% for Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe , Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d`Ivoire, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda , Zambia for , , 10% for Kenya, Ethiopia Trump argues the tariffs are necessary to protect American jobs and industry, stating: 'African countries have had a free ride. It's time for fair trade.' President Ramaphosa responded by confirming that negotiations are ongoing, with a framework trade deal already submitted to US officials. That deal reportedly included: Purchasing US liquefied natural gas Easing poultry import rules $3.3 billion investment into US sectors like mining Ramaphosa also announced that a domestic support package is being finalised to help South African firms most vulnerable to the new tariffs. 'We are deeply concerned about the implications of this decision on jobs and investment. Our priority is to protect South African industries and workers,' the president said. Some exceptions have been made for strategic exports, including pharmaceuticals, copper, semiconductors, stainless steel scrap, and certain energy products. US-South Africa relations have sharply deteriorated under the Trump administration. The US president has cut all aid to the country and accused it of discriminating against its white minority – a claim South Africa has strongly denied. Ramaphosa's attempt to mend ties at a May meeting with Trump appears to have failed. This week, Trump hinted he might skip the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, saying: 'I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies.' South Africa's wine industry – with the US its fourth-largest export market – warned that the 30% tariff puts it at a 'severe disadvantage' compared to countries still enjoying lower or no duties. Industry body Wines of South Africa has urged both governments to resolve the issue swiftly, warning of long-term damage to trade, jobs, and investment. With just days to go before implementation, pressure is mounting on Pretoria to either strike a deal or cushion the blow – as businesses brace for a sharp economic impact and possible job losses. Afghanistan – 15% Algeria – 30% Angola – 15% Bangladesh – 20% Bolivia – 15% Bosnia and Herzegovina – 30% Botswana – 15% Brazil – 10% Brunei – 25% Cambodia – 19% Cameroon – 15% Chad – 15% Costa Rica – 15% Côte d`Ivoire – 15% Democratic Republic of the Congo – 15% Ecuador – 15% Equatorial Guinea – 15% Falkland Islands – 10% Fiji – 15% Ghana – 15% Guyana – 15% Iceland – 15% India – 25% Indonesia – 19% Iraq – 35% Israel – 15% Japan – 15% Jordan – 15% Kazakhstan – 25% Laos – 40% Lesotho – 15% Libya – 30% Liechtenstein – 15% Madagascar – 15% Malawi – 15% Malaysia – 19% Mauritius – 15% Moldova – 25% Mozambique – 15% Myanmar (Burma) – 40% Namibia – 15% Nauru – 15% New Zealand – 15% Nicaragua – 18% Nigeria – 15% North Macedonia – 15% Norway – 15% Pakistan – 19% Papua New Guinea – 15% Philippines – 19% Serbia – 35% South Africa – 30% South Korea – 15% Sri Lanka – 20% Switzerland – 39% Syria – 41% Taiwan – 20% Thailand – 19% Trinidad and Tobago – 15% Tunisia – 25% Turkey – 15% Uganda – 15% United Kingdom – 10% Vanuatu – 15% Venezuela – 15% Vietnam – 20% Zambia – 15% Zimbabwe – 15% Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Government finalising support package for companies vulnerable to US tariffs
The government says it is finalising a support package for companies, producers and workers affected by the tariffs on South African exports to the United States (US). This as the Trump-led administration stands firm on imposing a 30% tariff on local exports. Zululand Observer reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa said, while they continue to engage the US on the subject, a support package, to be detailed at a later stage, will be in place to assist those vulnerable to the reciprocal tariffs. 'The reciprocal tariffs have been imposed by the US on a significant number of its trade partners and South Africa has not been spared. South Africa will continue negotiating with the US regarding the 30% tariff announced by the US, which will come into effect on or after 12:01 eastern daylight time, seven days after August 1,' said Ramaphosa. He said all applicable exceptions published in the previous US Executive Order are set to remain in force. These exceptions covered products such as copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber articles, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap and energy and energy products. 'South Africa and US trade relations are complementary in nature, and South African exports do not pose a threat to US industry. Importantly, SA exports to the US contain inputs from the African continent and contribute to intra-Africa trade. 'South Africa will continue to pursue all diplomatic efforts to safeguard its national interests. It is important that as a country, we keep our people at work and our companies producing some of the high-quality products destined for many parts of the world,' said Ramaphosa. He said they are exploring alternative markets as part of a diversification strategy in hopes of creating resilience of the country's economy. An export support desk has also been established to provide updates on development and provide advisory services to exporters. 'The details are to be published by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition on its website,' said Ramaphosa. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
