In a turn of events that’s left many raising eyebrows, President Cyril Ramaphosa today (Tuesday, July 15), appointed Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe as Acting Minister of Police, just days after announcing a new judicial commission to investigate alleged criminal syndicates within law enforcement itself.
Mantashe takes over the portfolio temporarily until Professor Firoz Cachalia assumes the role in August, following his retirement from the University of the Witwatersrand.
But the timing and choice have sparked national outcry, not least because Mantashe himself was named in the final report of the Zondo Commission on State Capture, released two years ago. In that report, former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo recommended that Mantashe be investigated for corruption after Bosasa allegedly paid for security upgrades at three of his private properties, benefits worth nearly R300,000 while he was serving as ANC Secretary-General.
Now, Mantashe has been tasked with overseeing the same policing structures that will soon come under the microscope of a brand-new commission of inquiry, also announced by the President this month.
That commission, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will investigate serious claims made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. These include allegations of deep criminal infiltration into the SAPS, the judiciary, the State Security Agency, and other justice departments, as well as accusations that the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, interfered with sensitive investigations and colluded with businesspeople, including a murder accused, to shut down the Political Killings Task Team. Mchunu has since been placed on leave of absence.
President Ramaphosa said the Commission will probe whether senior law enforcement figures, including members of the National Executive, “aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity” or “benefited financially or politically” from such syndicates. It will also assess whether officials should be suspended during investigations and make recommendations for criminal prosecutions and reforms.
With Mantashe stepping into the very ministry under scrutiny, some are asking whether the new Commission will truly be effective.
A local resident told the Laudium Sun, “It’s hard not to feel a bit cynical when someone the Zondo Commission said should be investigated is now in charge of the police, even if only for a few weeks. It makes you wonder what this new commission will really be able to clean up.”
The Presidency has not commented on the Zondo recommendations in relation to Mantashe, and no charges have been brought against him.