SAPS Looks Forward to Working with Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia After Mchunu's Leave

• The South African Police Service said that it's looking forward to working with the newly appointed acting minister of police
• Firoz Cachalia was sworn in as the acting police minister on Friday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria
• Cachalia's appointment comes after President Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave amid criminal allegations against him

The South African Police Service said that it's looking forward to working with the newly appointed acting minister of police, Firoz Cachalia. SAPS said that it wants to make the country safe and that the department is committed to working with Cachalia.

What did SAPS say?

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said that SAPS supports Cachalia and is committed to working closely with him. Masemola said that the priority is to make South Africa safe.

The police commissioner said that SAPS is looking forward to the guidance and direction of the newly appointed acting minister. Cachalia was sworn in as the acting police minister on Friday, 1 August 2025, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

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Why was Cachalia appointed?

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Firoz Cachalia after placing Senzo Mchunu on special leave on 13 July 2025. That same day, Ramaphosa announced a Commission of Inquiry to probe the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Nhanhla Mkhwanazi against Mchunu, Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya, and unnamed judges, prosecutors, police officers, and politicians.

Mchunu initially denied all allegations. He later admitted that he knew Magotsi and said that Magotsi was his comrade. He also welcomed the Commission of Inquiry and said it would give him the chance to prove his innocence.

What you need to know about Senzo Mchunu and SAPS

• Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is under intense pressure after the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party laid criminal charges against him.
• The Minister of Police has expressed his eagerness to defend himself against the accusations during the commission.
• The president also noted why this was different from his decision to place Senzo Mchunu on special leave.
• The Public Protector has launched a formal investigation into Police Minister Senzo Mchunu amid allegations levelled by General Mkwanazi.
• The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally laid charges against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, alleging that Mchunu lied to Parliament about not knowing anything about businessman Brown Magotsi.
• South Africans defended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu after reports surfaced that he and top cop General Shadrack Sibiya were on the Political Killings Task Team.
• Senzo Mchunu responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to grant him a leave of absence. The police minister will be on leave while a Commission of Inquiry investigates the allegations.

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MK Party loses bid to challenge Cyril Ramaphosa for placing Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence

Ramaphosa says it would be unfair to fire Mchunu based on allegations

Briefly News previously reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended his decision to place Senzo Mchunu on leave and establish a Commission of Inquiry following allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The president announced both decisions on 13 July 2025 during a national address, but his announcement was met with criticism by many. Ramaphosa earned criticism for the commission, which many stated doesn’t produce results, as well as his decision not to remove Mchunu from his post.

Source: Briefly News