'Disappointing': Busi Mkhwebane criticises Ramaphosa's SAPS inquiry as a waste of resources
Image: Independent Newspapers
Former Public Protector and Umkhonto weSizwe (MK party) Mpumalanga convenor, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, has lambasted President Cyril Ramaphosa's move to place embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave, and the establishment of a commission of inquiry into allegations regarding law enforcement agencies.
IOL reported on Sunday that while the placement of Mchunu on special leave was applauded by some, the decision to establish a commission of inquiry into allegations regarding the South African Police Service (SAPS) was largely criticised.
Political analysts said that the commission could be a waste of time and resources, like the Zondo commission, which was established to investigate the allegations of State Capture in 2019.
In an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Mkwebane said the resources channeled towards the commission of inquiry could be funneled towards improving the SAPS.
"I would say, being the former Public Protector, it is very disappointing. The country is in tatters, and the decision that the president has taken, won't take us any further. We are still going to be impacted because no commission of inquiry was ever implemented. The president has usurped the powers of Chapter 9 institutions. The worst part is that the commission of inquiry just makes recommendations, holding the country in suspense.
"We need resources, as Mpumalanga as well, we need resources. You put a minister on special leave, why not remove the minister, because the president, in terms of the Constitution, has the powers to do that immediately. Why waste resources? You appoint somebody who is a director of Corruption Watch, funded by foreign backers like George Soros. I think he is putting the country deep, deep into trouble and that will impact us as a province."
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 ✕
Prof. Firoz Cachalia
Image: Facebook
Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Professor Cachalia as acting minister of police, pending the outcome of the commission of inquiry. Cachalia, a legal academic and chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, will assume the role in August.
Cachalia, 66, is a former anti-apartheid activist, lawyer, academic, and experienced public servant. Born in Benoni in 1958, he became involved in student politics against apartheid in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Mkhwebane said the province of Mpumalanga, like other provinces in South Africa, is bedevilled by massive unemployment levels. She said fighting the scourge of corruption requires a head-on approach, not commissions of inquiry.
"That money should have been utilised to make sure that the police are quick, they arrest and remove people who are not supposed to be there because there is evidence which commissioner (KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla) Mkhwanazi has delivered. I think this is disappointing," she said.
Ramaphosa on Sunday announced his decision to establish the commission of inquiry and place Mchunu on special leave following allegations made by Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu of sabotaging a probe into political killings by seizing 121 open case files in March and pushing to disband the team tasked with the probe.
Mkhwanazi claimed that Mchunu had connections to members of a crime syndicate.
He also accused some senior police officials of being involved in corruption.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
22 minutes ago
- IOL News
Trump Tariffs: South Africa signs framework deal in ongoing US trade talks
The Department of Trade and Industry has confirmed it has signed a condition precedent document with the US Image: Armand Hough /Independent Newspapers As the countdown to the US's planned 30% tariff increase on South African exports edges closer, the Department of Trade and Industry has confirmed it has signed a condition precedent document with the US Trade Representative's office. According to the department, the document signed is a condition precedent, serving as a preliminary framework that outlines the necessary steps before a full trade agreement can be finalised. "We have not signed any substantive agreement yet. The document signed was a precedent condition document," Ministerial spokesperson Kaamil Alli said. "This is a precursor to the finalizing of the negotiations, which are ongoing". This comes after US President Donald Trump sent a formal letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa demanding action on trade imbalances and warning of the impending tariff hike set for August 1, 2025. The tariffs are aimed at addressing what the US describes as South Africa's 'unsustainable trade deficits' and longstanding market barriers. The US decision to increase tariffs on South African goods has raised concerns among industry experts and exporters, who warn that key sectors such as automotive, agriculture, and mining could be severely impacted. 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 week, IOL reported that Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana warned that South Africa stands to lose around 100,000 jobs due to US tariffs if a trade deal is not renewed. "My prayer, first and foremost, is that the deal should be made by August 1st. And secondly, if it's not made, it would be useful that we get an extension until we finalise the deal,' he said. "Of course, the US has a huge economy. If we lose a trading partner such as the USA, it's going to have a major impact and create more unemployment in the economy.". Last month, the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa revealed that South Africa's vehicle exports to the United States have dropped dramatically following the imposition of US tariffs, with declines of 73% in the first quarter of 2025, and further falls of 80% and 85% in April and May, respectively. This was after Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all vehicles imported into the US earlier this year. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel

IOL News
22 minutes ago
- IOL News
Defending Democracy: The Role of Chapter 9 Institutions Amidst Attacks
Operation Dudula and Abahlali Basemjondolo converged on the corner of Jorissen and Melle streets in Braamfontein as tensions rose between the two movements, which hold opposing views on the issue of foreigners in the country. Image: Itumeleng English / Indepedent Newspapers Last week (July 17, 2025) we participated in a demonstration when a group failed with hate, marched to the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (Seri). While Seri were targeted by this group which one journalist called "vigilante anti-immigration group Operation Dudula", they were attacking something much wider: our democracy. On their posters, they informed the public that their march was against "Unpatriotic NGOs and Chapter 9 Institutions Must Fall!!!" The poster for the demonstration. Image: Supplied 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 Under attack were groups like the Helen Suzman Foundation, the Human Rights Commission and Seri. Their poster accused these NGOs for protecting criminals – illegal immigrants. When we met them outside the Seri offices, police were on hand to ensure peace under trying circumstances as a few in the group dressed in expensive military fatigues, and carried intimidatory rocks as they hurled insults at us. The march against these groups was defended by others in the civil society movement, groups such as Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, Abahlali baseMjondolo, the Inner City Federation, and the South African Informal Traders Forum – the glaring absence from other political and civic formations in particular unions in defending if not the NGOs but a Chapter 9 body was obvious and glaring. Austerity: friendly fire? The Human Rights Commission were singled out because they reaffirmed the principles and values of the Constitution and the rulings of the Constitutional Court on health care for all. But this must not hide the fact that the Commission has been injured by friendly fire – our government. The austerity measures of the government against the people and these bodies that are supposed to serve the public is the real enemy. It would be good, even with the fiscal repression, to have seen democrats from all hues and shades that profess to love the constitution be present and make a stand for this Constitution and its values. For the uninformed, bodies like the (a) The Public Protector; (b) The South African Human Rights Commission; (c) The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities; (d) The Commission for Gender Equality; (e) The Auditor-General; and (f) The Electoral Commission, all are known as Chapter 9 institutions. They take their name from the chapter of the Constitution with the heading: Chapter 9: State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy. Political economist Ebrahim-Khalil Hassen argues that Chapter 9 institutions, including the Human Rights Commission, face significant challenges as budgets are unlikely to grow significantly. He shows that the SAHRC programme on 'monitoring observance of human rights' budget will decline by 10% between 2024/25 and projected budget in 2027/28. While the government websites extol the virtues of our participatory democracy and the role of the Chapter 9s as being a check on power, they do not fund these sentiments. The writer beautifully quotes former Chief Justice Pius Langa when he states that their role is 'to secure the freedom of every citizen by seeking to avoid an excessive concentration of power, which can lead to abuse, in one person or body'. Is the underfunding just about our poverty or is it an ideology of austerity that inevitably undermines us all, starting with civic organisations, including those constitutional bodies that are mandated to keep a check on power? While you ponder on this, think what could be achieved if the funds would have been used to revitalise bodies like the SAHRC and others that are supposed to do their work without fear or favour? It is not all doom and gloom, and I feel I must end with these two hopeful takeaways from the recent events. Firstly, I will be failing to mention that the staff and leaders at Chapter 9s are doing a sterling job and are committed to do so against all odds. They could do better with greater citizens' pressure, critical participation and support so that they can deliver on their mandate without fear or favour. In addition to the SAHRC, we have the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), a body that has not failed to tell the government about how it is using public funds, and they are not afraid to call out the government in cases of corruption, or where funds were not used properly. Citizens and civil society groups could do better by reading their audit reports and helping them (and us) to widen the base and culture of transparency and accountability that the AGSA have been trying to grow. Similarly with the Electoral Commission (IEC) which, despite austerity, has maintained its mission of being an ' independent constitutional body which manages free and fair elections of legislative bodies and institutions through the participation of citizens, political parties and civil society in deepening electoral democracy'. In conclusion, I return to the protests and confirm that it was democracy in action as a civic society consisting largely of the working class and poor were engaged in debate on the streets. Amidst song and toyi-toyi at the defence of the Seri offices, one of the leaders of the shack-dwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo and coordinator of the peaceful gathering, Sbu Zikode, spoke directly to the leaders and the few members that attended from Operation Dudula. He said that they were targeting their ire and fire and the wrong people and called on them to join the struggle for real socio-economic and political justice that is inclusive and not hateful. That invitation I believe still stands. * Hassen Lorgat is a social justice activist who has worked in trade union and anti-apartheid sports movements. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.

IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Ramaphosa leads high-level talks on Northern Cape's development agenda
President Cyril Ramaphosa convenes meeting to boost Northern Cape's economic development Image: GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa has convened a high-level meeting with the Northern Cape Provincial Executive, stressing the importance of collaborative governance and strategic projects to accelerate economic development and improve service delivery across the province. The engagement, held under the theme 'A Nation that Works for All,' marks the sixth formal dialogue between the national government and provincial authorities, following similar discussions with Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape. Ramaphosa, accompanied by ministers and deputy ministers, met with Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul, provincial executive members, and mayors from the five district municipalities. In his address, Ramaphosa highlighted the significance of working together across government levels. 'Advancing cooperative governance is mandated by our Constitution. As the Government of National Unity, we see this as an important part of building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.' He elaborated on the challenges that have historically hampered progress, including 'working in silos' and 'parachuted development,' where projects are initiated at the national level without sufficient local consultation or relevance. 'These challenges have been time-consuming and costly, and they have contributed to a widening trust deficit between government and communities,' he explained. The President praised the Northern Cape as a 'pioneer and frontier of innovation,' citing its leadership in renewable energy and green hydrogen projects. 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 ✕ A 2022 Pulitzer Centre profile described the province as South Africa's emerging economic powerhouse, especially in the clean energy revolution. Ramaphosa suggested that: 'Once the energy transition unfolds as envisaged, the Northern Cape could be the new heartbeat of the economy.' The province's Green Hydrogen Masterplan is a core component of this vision, promising significant regional and global economic benefits. Ramaphosa noted ongoing multilateral discussions and business forums that position South Africa as a leader in renewable energy, calling the Northern Cape 'a critical driver of this transition.' He said that the province aims to develop beyond energy as an industrial hub, leveraging traditional sectors like mining and expanding into special economic zones, industrial parks, and infrastructure projects such as port and rail upgrades. According to the 2024 Provincial Socio-Economic Review by the National Treasury, despite positive economic indicators, persistent challenges remain, including rising poverty levels, declining access to basic services, and high youth unemployment. Ramaphosa acknowledged fiscal constraints impacting municipal projects such as disaster response, land restitution, rural electrification, and public housing. He stressed the need for innovative funding mechanisms, citing examples like the Northern Cape Industrial Corridor, the R1 billion housing initiative, and the Kimberley Big Hole precinct. 'We urgently need to reexamine the current delivery models to enable regulatory approval and investment activation,' he said. The meeting also focused on the importance of integrated planning between national, provincial, and local governments, including state-owned enterprises as key stakeholders. The President emphasised aligning provincial plans with national priorities through the District Development Model and Medium-Term Development Plan. Climate change preparedness, municipal debt management, revenue collection, and leveraging tourism assets were critical issues for discussion. 'These are among the issues that we will deliberate on today,' Ramaphosa stated, highlighting the government's commitment to addressing the province's challenges. This engagement underscores the government's ongoing efforts to foster cooperative governance and unlock the Northern Cape's vast economic potential. IOL Politics