By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
11 July 2025- Congress of the People (COPE) acting Deputy President, Teboho Loate said there is a widespread frustration felt across South African society with the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa’s double standards and lack of decisive action in addressing the serious allegations against Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu.
Loate said recent claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025, accusing Mchunu of political interference and links to criminal gangs, have heightened public outrage.
He further said Ramaphosa’s failure to respond firmly exposes a troubling pattern of indecision and double standards that undermines trust in the institutions of democracy. Loate added that this inconsistency in Ramaphosa’s leadership is glaring when comparing his swift response to minor infractions with his reluctance to tackle these grave allegations.
“For instance, Ramaphosa promptly removed Andrew Whitfield from his ministerial position over a relatively minor breach of protocol. In stark contrast, the accusations against Senzo Mchunu, which emerged on 6 July 2025, have yet to elicit a firm response, leaving a gap of over six days with no apparent action, as he delays addressing the issue.
“This disparity raises serious questions about the President’s commitment to ethical governance and accountability. A 2023 study by the University of Cape Town’s Centre for Social Science Research revealed that 67% of South Africans view high-level corruption as a significant barrier to trust in leadership,” he said.
Loate said this statistic highlights the public’s growing frustration with the endless meetings, commissions, and empty promises. He said South Africans are no longer willing to tolerate delays or investigations that lead nowhere.
“They demand strong, immediate action against corruption to restore faith in their government. Ramaphosa’s repeated failures to set a robust ethical tone strengthen COPE’s long-standing call for the direct election of the President by the people.
“As outlined in Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s State Capture Report, direct elections would enhance accountability, ensuring the President answers to voters rather than party elites. This reform would break the cycle of impunity and indecision that has plagued the current system, fostering a leadership that reflects the will and values of the electorate,” said Loate.
He said COPE believes this is a critical step toward rebuilding trust and delivering the ethical governance South Africans deserve. Loate urges Ramaphosa to act decisively against Mchunu this Sunday and to support constitutional reforms for direct presidential elections.
“The time for talking is over. South Africa needs action now,” he said.
The Guardian 