Tag Archives: Senzo Mchunu

Ramaphosa calls on law enforcement agencies to remain steadfast

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By REGINALD KANYANE

14 July 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a Commission of Inquiry to probe explosive allegations levelled against Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Judiciary and some of Members of Parliament (MPs). This came after the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that some politicians and prosecutors are in bed with criminals.

Ramphosa further said the matter raised concerns the security of the country, the integrity of the law enforcement agencies and the safety of the people. He added that Mkhwanazi alleged that there is an existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures in South Africa.

“Mkhwanazi alleged that Mhcunu interfered with sensitive police investigations and colluded with business people, including a murder accused, to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Mkhwanazi also said that a police investigation by the task team in Gauteng unmasked a syndicate controlled by a drug cartel, which involves politicians, law enforcement officials from the SAPS, metro police and correctional services, prosecutors and the judiciary, as well as business people,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the allegations made in this media briefing raise serious concerns around the constitution, the rule of law and national security. Ramaphosa said these allegations, if proven true, threaten to undermine the confidence of South Africans in the ability of the South African Police Service to protect them and to effectively fight crime and corruption.

“South Africans are concerned about corruption and the rise of criminality in our country, which manifests itself in the killing of innocent people, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), gang violence, kidnappings, construction mafia criminality and many others.

“As we intensify the fight against crime, it is vital that we safeguard the integrity and credibility of the police and other law enforcement agencies. These allegations therefore call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation. To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I am establishing a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga,” he said.

Ramaphosa said Madlanga will be assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC. He said the Commission will investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates.

“Among the allegations that the Commission may investigate are the facilitation of organised crime, suppression or manipulation of investigations, inducement into criminal actions by law enforcement leadership, commission of any other criminal offences and intimidation, victimisation or targeted removal of whistle-blowers or officials resisting criminal influence.

“The Commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity, failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings, or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate’s operations,” said Ramaphosa.

He said these institutions are the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, the Judiciary and Magistracy, and the metropolitan police departments of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane. Ramahosa said the Commission will also investigate whether any members of the National Executive responsible for the criminal justice system, were complicit, aided and abetted, or participated in the acts mentioned above.

“The Commission will be asked to report on the effectiveness or failure of oversight mechanisms, and the adequacy of current legislation, policies and institutional arrangements in preventing such infiltration.

“It will make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform. Once established, the Commission shall consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies,” he said. 

Ramaphosa said where appropriate, the Commission must make recommendations on the employment status of such officials, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations.  He said the Commission will have the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover.

“It is critical that these matters be attended to with the necessary urgency and thoroughness. The Commission is expected to complete its work and submit a final report to the President. Interim reports are expected after 3 and 6 months respectively.

“The final report of the Commission will be sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice. Madlanga is retiring from the Constitutional Court at the end of July 2025, after years of distinguished service, and will therefore be able to give his full time and attention to the work of this commission,” said Ramaphosa.

He said in order for the Commission to execute its functions effectively, he has decided to put the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence with immediate effect.  Ramaphosa said Mchunu has undertaken to give his full cooperation to the Commission to enable it to do its work. 

“I have decided to appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police. Cachalia is currently a professor of law at the University of the Witwatersrand and is the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council.

“He previously served as an MEC of Community Safety in Gauteng. I am appointing Cachalia in terms of Section 91(3)(c) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to select no more than two Ministers from outside the National Assembly,” said Ramaphosa.

He said Cachalia will be retiring from his current position at the University of Witwatersrand at the end of July. Ramaphosa said he will appoint an acting Minister from within the Cabinet until Cachalia takes up his post at the beginning of August.

“This Commission is being established against the backdrop of significant progress in rebuilding and strengthening our country’s law enforcement agencies and security services. In recent years, the South African Police Service, the Special Investigating Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other bodies have been making important inroads in the fight against organised crime and corruption.

“It is essential that we maintain this momentum and that we intensify this work. We will ensure that the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies continue to function without hindrance as the commission undertakes its work,” he said.

Ramaphosa calls on all members of the law enforcement agencies and security services to remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law and adhering to their code of conduct. He calls on all South Africans to support the commission in its work and, where appropriate, to provide any information or assistance the commission may require.

“In establishing this Commission of Inquiry, we are affirming our commitment to the rule of law, to transparency and accountability, and to building a South Africa in which all people are safe and secure,” said Ramaphosa.

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SAUCIC calls for a probe over allegations levelled against Minister of Police, NPA and MPs

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Picture: The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu

By REGINALD KANYANE

7 July 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Monday appealed for calm as it reflected on the damning interference allegations levelled by the Kwazulu Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, the National Deputy Commissioner for Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, the National Prosecution Agency (NPA), Members of Parliament (MPs) and other officials.

SANCIC has expressed confidence that the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa will immediately on his return from the BRICS Summit in Brazil, expedite the establishment of an independent judicial body to speedily investigate the allegations. 

SAUCIC President Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole said, while they respect and appreciate the work that Mkhwanazi has been doing to combat violent crime in KwaZulu-Natal, they are convinced that he should have followed prescribed South African Police Service (SAPS) processes, protocols and procedures laid down in the Criminal Procedure Act, as well adhered to the SAPS Code of Conduct in dealing with the issues at hand. Shole further pointed out that the ‘court of public opinion’ that Mkhwanazi chose, undermined fundamental principles that underpin the rule of law such as the right of accused persons to be assumed innocent until proven guilty in a properly constituted court of law.

“The court of public opinion is like a kangaroo court, which does not afford the accused persons the dignity as well as their right to adequately respond to allegations levelled against them in the spirit of Audi alterum partem.

“Whatever provincial dynamics should not supersede accountability nor compromise law enforcement that must guarantee the safety and protection of citizens. This is not a moment for populism, cheap politicking and grandstanding,” he said.

Shole added that escalating this issue to Parliament will not serve the course of justice, but simply provide political parties with yet another item to jostle for relevance in order to play to the public gallery while matters of national security are at stake. He said whatever preliminary investigation to be instituted should not exceed a month.

“The country cannot afford to be destabilised by those who wish to plunge it into chaos for the benefit of criminal syndicates and political opportunists that are working tirelessly to spark civil unrest for another July insurrection,” Shole underscored. 

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Bogodu jwa leruo bo tsweletse go etegela 

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Setshwantsho: Dingwe tsa leruo le go belaelwang le utswilwe/Facebook  

Ka REGINALD KANYANE 

22 Tlhakole 2025- Barui ba ba farologaneng go tswa mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, ba ikuela go sepodisi go ka bolotsa ntwa kgatlhanong le bogodu jwa leruo. Se se tla morago ga gore tona ya sepodisi, Senzo Mchunu, o rebotseng dipalo-palo tsa bosenyi mo letsatsing la Labone, a tlhalose fa porofense ya Bokone Bophirima, ele nngwe ya diporofense tse di tsweletseng go itemogela bogodu jwa leruo go ralala Afrika Borwa. 

Mongwe wa barua-kgomo kwa motseng wa Tlapeng, o sa batleng leina la gagwe le itsiwe are: “Rena le bopaki jwa gore gona le segongwana se se dirisanang le batlhankedi bangwe ba sepodisi go utswa leruo. 

“Maswabi ke gore, le fa re ba tlalea, ga go sepe se se dirwang. Re kopa gore mokhuduthamaga wa lefapha la tshireletso ya baagi ga mmogo le tsamiso ya dipalangwa mono Bokone Bophirima, Wessels Morweng, a tle ka toga-maano ya go lwa kgatlhanong le bogodu jwa leruo, gonne jaanong magodu a utswa ka bodipa.”         

Kgabagare, Morweng are bogodu jwa leruo ke nngwe ya matsapa a ba a itemogelang mo porofenseng. Morweng are, porofense ya Bokone Bophirima ke nngwe ya diporofense tse di tletseng ka metse-selegae.

“Jaanong gwa tlhaloganyesega gore e be e iphitlhela e le nngwe ya diporofense tse di itemogelang bogodu jwa leruo. Re tla gopola gore bontsi jwa baagi ba itshidisa ka leruo. Jaanong go botlhokwa thata jaaka puso gore re sireletse leruo la bone.

“Ke setse ke kopane le mokomishinara wa nama-o-sa-tshwere wa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Major General Patrick Asaneng, mme re dulamane gore di dika di le pedi eleng sa Ngaka Modiri Molema le Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, entle le go tlodisa matlho di dika tse dingwe, di amegile thata,” Morweng wa tlhalosa. 

Morweng are o tlile go kopana le dimasepala tse di farologaneng, ga mmogo le Lefapha La Temo-thuo le Tlhabolo ya Lefatshe, gonne ba lemogile fa mo leruo le bewang teng go sa siama. 

“Bo nnete ke gore, ga nkitla re tlodisa matlho kgang ya gore bangwe ba batlhankedi ba sepodisi ba ka tswa ba dirisana le magodu a utswang leruo. 

“Ke ka mo re tlileng go leka ka bojotlhe gore batlhakedi ba ba amegang ba otlhaiwa. Re tshwanelwa ke go dirisa mafaratlhatlha a setegenike a farologaneng go ka reba bosinyi jo,” Morweng wa tlhalosa. 

Morweng are o tlile go nna le dikopano le barui ba ba farologaneng go ralala porofense.

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The Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project created 259 jobs  

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Picture: Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The Minister of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Senzo Mchunu, accompanied by his Deputy Judith Tshabalala, the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi and the executive mayor of Rustenburg Local Municipality, Sheila Mabale-Huma, launched the Phase 2 of Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project in Mafenya, Chaneng in Rustenburg as part of the North West Provincial Government Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole on 24 May 2024.

The project, which is part of the “Operation Bulela Metsi” Programme, Phase 2 of the Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project is funded under the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) consisting of the construction of a 30ML Tlhabane reservoir, the construction of Mafenya pump station and a 28km pipeline to Tlhabane reservoir. 

Mchunu said the construction of the 30ML reservoir has been completed and that the Rustenburg communities will soon receive water after connecting the remaining 2-kilometer pipeline. He further said the state-of-the-art pump station with three pumps, one which will be in use and the other two for reserve, is one of the best in the province. 

Mchunu added that it will enable continuous maintenance while simultaneously supplying water to communities.

“Come September, the problem of water will be a thing of the past when phase two of the Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply project will be completed. Then the implementation will proceed to phase three of Magalies Water Master Plan, which involves extending water pipes to the south of the province, where municipalities such as Kgetlengrivier, Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipalities and further to Supingstad near the border to Botswana will then complete the master plan in terms of implementation,” he said. 

Maloyi cautioned the unwanted involvement or disturbance of the construction mafia, whom he says are delaying the implementation of the water infrastructure projects. He encouraged communities to guard their water infrastructure to ensure that water flows to them.

“More than 63 238 households in the Royal Bafokeng Administration, which consists of areas such as Phokeng, Rasimone, Ga-Luka, Mogono, Kanana, Mosenthal and Boitekong stand to benefit from the project. 

“This includes Bokamoso, Boschoek, Buffelsfontein, Elandsfontein, Freedom Park, Frischgewaagd, Meriting, Oorzak, Paardekraal, Platinum Mine, Popo Molefe, Rustenburg, Seraleng, Setlhokwe, Tlhabane, Waterkloof, Waterval and Wildebeesfontein in Rustenburg. The project has already created 259 jobs for locals,” said Maloyi.

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