Zuma, MK Party to challenge Ramaphosa's decision to place Mchunu on special leave
The MK Party approached the apex court on an urgent basis, wanting Mchunu's suspension, the appointment of an acting minister, and the institution of a judicial commission of inquiry set aside.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa defends decision to appoint Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister
Earlier in July, Ramaphosa made the decision based on an explosive media briefing by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The MK Party will argue that while the Constitution is clear on the president's powers to appoint and fire ministers, there is no provision for placing a member of Cabinet on special leave.
They said the only rational reason that Ramaphosa could have decided this for Mchunu is so that he keeps his salary and perks as a minister.
But the president argues that while there is no explicit mention of special leave in the supreme law, he has implied ancillary powers.
He said he cannot simply fire Mchunu based on untested allegations.
Because Zuma and the MK Party are separate applicants in the matter, different lawyers will argue on their behalf before the bench.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
5 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
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Unity and land reform take centre stage at Soweto community gathering
uMkhonto weSizwe MP Zwelakhe Mthethwa, speaking during a community meeting on Saturday, said that only the unity of black people will help resolve the issue of land in the country. Image: Siyabonga Sithole/IOL The unity of black people with their Colored counterparts and the return of land to rightful owners were some of the hot topics during a gathering of community-based organisations, including members of the Operation Dudula Movement, Black Entrepreneurs Alliance, and the Soweto Alliance. The dialogue was held at the Anchor Comprehensive School in Orlando West, Soweto, on Saturday. uMkhonto weSizwe MP Zwelakhe Mthethwa, said that for poor black South Africans to regain their land, which was stolen through conquest and legislation, the unity of black people across all ethnic groups needs to be paramount. "The only way we resolve the issue of land dispossession is for us as Black people to unite against those who have a problem with us, which is those who own the land that belongs to us. Those who have been bought must not disturb the process that should unfold of returning the land to its rightful owners. Our traditional leaders successfully reclaimed the land in 1994, but those leading us have failed to return the land to the people. The documents and all the proof are there," he stated. Operation Dudula's Bhekani Thusi stated: "Now more than ever, we must meet and unite as South Africans to find a common goal to deal with the issue of land, immigration, and the economy because we have become spectators in our land. We have just come from a very progressive march in KZN." Chief Xam Keith Duarte, who is part of the Gauteng Housing Crisis Committee and represents the Khoi San and the people of Eldorado Park, decried the lack of support the Coloured community receives from the government, especially when it comes to housing and human settlements.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Government announces when Aarto demerit system will start
The national implementation of the Aarto Act has been confirmed with government rolling out regulations in phases Clauses relating to the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) demerit system will come into effect next year. In a bulk gazette that contained 16 notices and proclamations, national government on Friday declared the commencement dates for certain sections of the Aarto Act and its subsequent amendment. Implementation of the act will be done in phases, beginning in December for some municipalities. The Aarto Act was passed in 1998, with the amendment containing the demerit system signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019. Friday's gazette stated that the whole of the 1998 Act, with the exception of Section 29(g), will come into effect for 69 municipalities in 1 December. Sections 17 to 20, section 23 and sections 29 to 35 of the 2019 amendment will also come into effect for those 69 municipalities on 1 December. These municipalities include Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Mangaung, eThekwini and Cape Town. Five months later, 144 municipalities receive the same stipulations on 1 April 2026. These include the Knysna, Drakenstein, Bela-Bela, Umvoti and 140 other local municipalities. Section 24, which covers the demerit system, as well as sections 25 to 28 will come in effect for all municipalities from 1 September 2026. Constitutional court case The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) challenged the amendments and took the matter all the way to Constitutional Court. The civil society group asserted that the amendments did not adequately deal with road traffic safety and that it hampered municipalities' ability to regulate their own affairs. 'Outa is of the opinion that the Aarto practical challenges are largely due to poor enforcement, a lack of administrative discipline when it comes to traffic infringement management, and a variety of problems in the management of vehicle and driver licencing,' the organisation stated at the time. In July 2023, the court ruled against Outa, with then Chief Justice Raymond Zondo's judgment declaring that the amendments were constitutional. Employee implications Section 17 of the Act deals with the responsibilities of those who employ drivers. 'Aarto will make employers potentially face administrative and financial burdens for their employees' non-compliance where their driving falls within the employees' key duties and responsibilities,' Weber Wentzel advised previously. The Act requires a company to appoint a proxy to represent company vehicles but the firm state that the proxy will not accumulate demerit points on the drivers' behalf. 'However, the proxy must ensure that the demerit points are allocated to the correct driver.' 'Should the proxy not do so, the employer will be liable to pay the fine at three times the value applicable to ordinary license holders,' WeberWentzel stated. NOW READ: Aarto implementation could result in municipal traffic services 'shutting down'
