When news broke that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was placed on “special leave” instead of being fired following serious allegations of criminal links, many South Africans felt what we’ve come to expect — disappointment.
Let’s be honest: President Cyril Ramaphosa fumbled this one. Badly.
This isn’t just about another minister accused of wrongdoing. This is about the leader of the country once again choosing political safety over bold action. And this time, the EFF was right to call him out.
A ‘Special Leave’ for Alleged Criminal Ties?
Special leave? Really?
That sounds more like a holiday than a consequence. Mchunu is not just any public servant — he’s the Minister of Police, a man who’s supposed to be fighting crime. The fact that he’s being linked to alleged crime syndicates should have immediately triggered a full dismissal, not a soft temporary leave.
Instead, Ramaphosa handed him a break. No accountability. No public explanation. Just… step aside.
And then to make matters worse, the president appointed Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister — a man who’s not even a sitting Cabinet member. According to some experts and opposition parties, this might even be unconstitutional. So now we have a minister who’s allegedly compromised, and an acting minister who legally shouldn’t be in the seat.
EFF’s Reaction Was Brutal — and Justified
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo called the decision “a cowardly deflection”, and honestly, he was spot on. Whether you agree with the EFF’s politics or not, their criticism here was necessary. Julius Malema himself came out swinging, saying Ramaphosa should have fired Mchunu immediately, especially because the man already had “baggage.”
And this wasn’t just empty talk. The EFF raised real constitutional concerns, challenged the legality of the acting minister, and called out the ANC’s double standards. For once, the noise came with substance.
Why This Matters
This situation is bigger than Mchunu. It’s about trust.
South Africans are sick and tired of leaders protecting their own while the country burns. From load shedding to rising crime to unemployment, we’ve had enough of soft hands on serious problems. The people are tired of statements with no action.
This was Ramaphosa’s chance to show that he can act decisively. Instead, he chose to play it safe, again. The sad truth is: the President missed an opportunity to prove he still has a backbone.
Final Thoughts
Let’s not sugarcoat it — South Africa is in trouble, and we need leadership that’s brave enough to cut dead weight. Ministers who are even linked to criminal behavior shouldn’t be cushioned. They should be held accountable, publicly, quickly, and without favour.
If Ramaphosa can’t make tough calls now, when will he?
This is not the leadership South Africa was promised — and the people know it.
