Latest news with #Ramaphosa
Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa says firing Mchunu based on untested allegations would be unfair, 'create a dangerous precedent'
CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he could not take punitive steps against suspended police minister, Senzo Mchunu, on the basis of untested allegations. He came to the defence of Mchunu in the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, as well as his decision to order a commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption within the police and interference by Mchunu. Delivering his budget vote address in the House, Ramaphosa said it was untrue that commissions of inquiry did not result in tangible actions. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa says National Dialogue not 'just about talking', expects it to 'produce real results' President Ramaphosa has given the directive for two commissions of inquiry in recent weeks - one into the alleged interference in the prosecution of truth and reconciliation cases, and the other into alleged collusion and infiltration within the SAPS. Responding to criticism to launch an inquiry to investigate claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Ramaphosa said that while the allegations were serious, they were untested. "It is therefore necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible process so that we can ensure accountability and safeguard public confidence in the police service." Ramaphosa also responded to calls for Mchunu to be fired based on Mkhwanazi's allegations and misleading Parliament. "Not only would this be unfair, but it would create a dangerous precedent." He said the view that commissions of inquiry did not produce meaningful results was wrong and not borne out by evidence.
Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Parly's justice and police committees call for ad hoc committee to probe allegations of corruption and interference in SAPS, judiciary
CAPE TOWN - Parliament's justice and police committees have called for an ad hoc committee to be established to investigate allegations of corruption and interference in the police and judiciary. They also want the ad hoc committee to exercise oversight over the Madlanga commission of inquiry established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to keep tabs on its proceedings and monitor deadlines. Members of the two committees met on Wednesday to discuss the best way forward in probing the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. ALSO READ: • Ramaphosa says firing Mchunu based on untested allegations would be unfair, 'create a dangerous precedent' • ANC shuts down calls for arrests of govt officials, top cops implicated by Mkhwanazi • Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya asked to take a leave of absence • Ntshavheni assures Parly that intelligence structures will submit themselves to Madlanga Commission • Ramaphosa puts Mchunu on leave of absence, inquiry to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations • Mkhwanazi alleges political involvement in cases being investigated by the police The justice and police committees received a legal opinion on the best way forward in scrutinising the damning allegations of a corrupted criminal justice system. Parliament's legal advisors gave members options that include a fully-fledged inquiry, an ad hoc committee, or a normal joint committee. African National Congress (ANC) MP Oscar Mathafa put forward his party's position, which most parties agreed to. "An ad hoc committee should be what we are proposing of the three that were presented by the legal unit." He also proposed that the ad committee monitor the judicial commission of inquiry set up by the president. "We infuse in the terms of reference the oversight over the judicial commission, the president states that the third month and six months interim reports must be produced and submitted." The committees will now send its recommendations to the National Assembly for adoption on Wednesday next week.
The Citizen
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Police scandal: Justice must now be served
President Cyril Ramaphosa has said all the right things, but a tired public now wants to see action. As long as the ANC is still in power, the state capture and Phala Phala scandals will continue to haunt South Africa. Accused ANC officials seem to be treated with kid gloves, while tough action is taken against those from other parties like the recent dismissal of DA deputy minister Andrew Whitfield. This was the impression created when President Cyril Ramaphosa broke his silence on Sunday on the police scandal. He couldn't even suspend or fire police minister Senzo Mchunu, but put him on special leave and ordered a judicial inquiry to probe allegations of infiltration in the police. On Tuesday, the deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya was also placed on special leave. This follows claims by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July, where he accused senior police and political figures of colluding with criminal syndicates. ALSO READ: Mr President, it's time for you to leave For South Africans exhausted by news of assassinations, gender-based violence, kidnappings and rampant gangsterism, Mkhwanazi's revelations were not only shocking – they were horrifying. He spoke not as a politician seeking fame, but as a top cop with direct knowledge of how deeply the rot runs. His allegations painted a picture of a justice system compromised from within: metro police officers on drug syndicate payrolls, prosecutors turning a blind eye and political leaders interfering with investigations. He even suggested that elements within the judiciary were linked to criminal networks. The implications of these claims strike at the heart of our democracy. If criminals have truly infiltrated the highest levels of our law enforcement and justice institutions, then the very ideas of justice, equality before the law and public safety become a farce. Ramaphosa's response – to establish a judicial commission of inquiry – is a measured and necessary step for him to take in order to seem as if he is busy. The commission – chaired by acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga – is tasked with investigating the extent of this alleged criminal infiltration. Importantly, it is ideally sought to examine not only the police and intelligence services, but also the National Prosecuting Authority, the State Security Agency, the judiciary, and the executive arm of government. No stone, Ramaphosa promised, will be left unturned. ALSO READ: Why has President Ramaphosa overlooked Deputy Police Minister Boshielo? The public, however, will not be satisfied with another commission of inquiry unless it leads to swift and decisive action. The Zondo commission exposed the full extent of state capture under the Jacob Zuma administration, but progress on prosecutions has been slow. For the Madlanga commission to avoid becoming yet another archive of inaction, it must operate transparently, act quickly, and make real recommendations that lead to arrests, dismissals and reforms. Ramaphosa's decision to place Mchunu on leave and to appoint Prof Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister is a matter of yielding to public outcry. But we must be honest with ourselves; the removal of Mchunu does not guarantee any change because what Mkhwanazi exposed was not simply a case of corruption against an individual – it was a coordinated system used to attack the state's ability to govern and deliver justice. Other implicated individuals – whether named or unnamed – must also be investigated without fear or favour. Ramaphosa must resist the temptation to protect political allies or preserve party unity at the expense of public trust. The public's fatigue is real. South Africans are tired of promises and press conferences. They want accountability. They want to know that when they report a crime, it will be taken seriously; that when whistle-blowers come forward, they will be protected, not persecuted; and that when people in power abuse that power, they will face consequences – not golden handshakes or quiet transfers. ALSO READ: Leave and a commission don't make Mchunu immune from prosecution, parliament hears Mkhwanazi took a personal risk in coming forward. If his allegations are substantiated, he may go down in history as one of the rare figures in post-apartheid South Africa who put principle above protectionism. But if the process fails him – if the state fails to protect him or act on what he exposed – his courage will serve only as another cautionary tale in a country that has too many already. This moment, then, is more than a legal inquiry – it is a test of South Africa's democratic resilience. Will we allow the rule of law to be reclaimed by those who believe in it, or will we concede it to those who treat state institutions as tools for personal and political gain? Ramaphosa has drawn a line in the sand. He has said all the right things. But South Africa has heard all the right things before. Now we must see action. Now we must see arrests. Now we must see justice. Because if we don't, then this crisis will not simply pass – it will grow into something far worse: a nation where the state no longer protects its people, but preys upon them.
IOL News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation Calls for President Ramaphosa to Step Down Over Corruption Inaction
n a statement, the Foundation's chairperson, Dr Allan Boesak, criticised what he described as the President's lack of decisive leadership in tackling corruption and protecting the integrity of public institutions. The Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation has issued a bold call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign, accusing him of failing to confront the deepening corruption crisis in the country. This comes in the wake of recent allegations involving top police officials and the President's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave. The Foundation reacted strongly to Ramaphosa's move to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Commissioner Mkhwanazi has accused Minister Mchunu and several senior police figures of interfering in ongoing criminal investigations, raising serious concerns about political meddling in law enforcement. In a statement, the Foundation's chairperson, Dr Allan Boesak, criticised what he described as the President's lack of decisive leadership in tackling corruption and protecting the integrity of public institutions. 'We cannot pretend any longer that President Ramaphosa is serious about fighting corruption,' said Boesak. 'Since the time he took office, we would have hoped for bold and clear leadership. But time and again, he has failed to act when it mattered. His inaction sends a message that there are no real consequences for those who undermine justice.' Boesak said the President's response to the growing crisis in the police ranks shows weakness rather than commitment. 'Placing a minister on special leave and launching another inquiry are not signs of strong leadership. These are attempts to delay and deflect, not to resolve,' he added. The Foundation, which upholds the legacy of anti-apartheid leaders Walter and Albertina Sisulu, said the public deserves more than promises and commissions. According to Boesak, ordinary South Africans continue to suffer the consequences of corruption, including poor service delivery, rising crime, and growing inequality. The call for Ramaphosa's resignation marks a rare intervention by a respected civil society organisation rooted in the country's liberation history. It also reflects mounting frustration among citizens and civic leaders who feel that political accountability is being avoided under the guise of legal processes. The Presidency has not yet responded to the Foundation's statement. However, sources within government say the inquiry into the police interference claims will begin within the coming weeks, and the terms of reference are being finalised. Political analysts say the situation places renewed pressure on the President, who has long positioned himself as a reformer committed to cleaning up government. But with public trust in law enforcement and political leadership continuing to decline, critics argue that time is running out for Ramaphosa to prove that his administration is serious about change. For now, the Foundation is standing firm in its stance, insisting that only a fresh start under new leadership will restore public confidence and begin the difficult task of rebuilding institutions affected by years of political interference and corruption.
The South African
12 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
Cheaper electricity possibly on the cards, says Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa today delivered his 2025 Budget Vote address. High on the president's list of promises was that cheaper electricity was on the cards for South Africans. 'We are putting in place the foundations for a competitive electricity market to unlock massive new investment in energy generation,' said Ramaphosa. He said they were working with stakeholders that would ensure more renewable energy powers the country's economy. The president said the energy sector has made outstanding progress in reducing the severity and frequency of load shedding in recent months. 'There was a time when daily load shedding was the norm. Now, it is very much the exception,' he continued.
