Ramaphosa appoints acting police minister

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe as acting minister of police with immediate effect.

Mantashe will hold the fort until Prof Firoz Cachalia takes over next month.

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This follows the president’s announcement at the weekend that a commission of inquiry is set to probe damning allegations raised by KZN provincial commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi surrounding Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has been placed on a leave of absence.

In a special briefing recently, General Mkhwanazi made serious allegations against Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, accusing them of interfering with high-profile police investigations.

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These included the disbandment of a team tasked with investigating political killings.

Mchunu has been placed on special leave pending the investigation.

“Minister Mantashe will serve in this capacity until Prof Firoz Cachalia, who will retire from his position at the University of the Witwatersrand at the end of this month, assumes his position at the start of August.

“Minister Mantashe will retain his responsibilities as minister of mineral and petroleum resources,” said Ramaphosa.

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