Addressing the nation on Sunday evening (13/7), his announcement follows explosive claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt. Genl. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a media briefing last Sunday while Ramaphosa was attending the Brics summit in Brazil.

Mkhwanazi alleged a drug cartel-backed syndicate – involving politicians, police officials, metro police, prosecutors, correctional services, and even members of the judiciary – was operating within and manipulating the criminal justice system.

He also accused Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu of interfering in sensitive investigations and colluding with business figures, including a murder-accused individual, to disband a task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.

“These allegations raise serious concerns about the integrity of our constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and national security,” Ramaphosa said. “If proven true, they could severely undermine public confidence in the South African Police Service and our broader justice system.”

Commission mandate and leadership

The judicial commission will be chaired by acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who is retiring from the Constitutional Court at the end of July and will dedicate his full attention to the inquiry.

The commission’s mandate includes:

• investigating the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence, and related institutions by criminal syndicates;
• probing the facilitation of organised crime, suppression of investigations, and intimidation of whistleblowers;
• scrutinising whether senior current or former officials aided or failed to act against the syndicate;
• assessing the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms and recommending legal and institutional reforms; and
• making recommendations for criminal prosecution, disciplinary action, and employment suspensions.

Interim reports will be submitted after three and six months, with a final report due to the president, the speaker of the National Assembly, and the chief justice.

Minister placed on leave, acting appointments made

Ramaphosa further announced Mchunu has been placed on immediate leave of absence. The minister has pledged to fully cooperate with the commission.

In his place, the president will appoint Prof. Firoz Cachalia, a constitutional law expert from the University of the Witwatersrand and chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, as acting minister of Police. Cachalia previously served as Gauteng MEC for Community Safety.

Since Cachalia only retires from academia at the end of July, an interim acting minister from within the cabinet will be appointed to cover the next two weeks.

Prof. Firoz Cachalia. Picture: anticorruption.gov.za

Ramaphosa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the rule of law and ongoing reforms. “We have made significant progress in rebuilding our institutions, with the SIU, Asset Forfeiture Unit, and other agencies making inroads against organised crime. This commission will enhance that work.”

He called on South Africans to support the inquiry and provide relevant information to assist its work. “We are affirming our commitment to transparency and accountability. South Africans deserve to live in a country where they feel safe and protected.”

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