Professor Firoz Cachalia was officially sworn in as South Africa’s Minister-Designate of Police at a ceremony held at the Union Buildings. This appointment comes in the wake of allegations that led to the sudden departure of Senzo Mchunu, who has been placed on an immediate leave of absence by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
These serious accusations stem from claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi has alleged corruption, political interference, and malfeasance against Mchunu, particularly pointing to the unilateral disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team and the misdirection of 121 active investigation dockets to Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya’s office, where they were reportedly neutralised.
The political fallout over Mchunu’s tenure has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who contend that appointing a minister from outside the Cabinet lacks constitutional grounding. Adding to the controversy, a court challenge by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party regarding Cachalia’s appointment was dismissed by the Constitutional Court just a day prior to his swearing-in.
President Ramaphosa presided over the swearing-in ceremony, with National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola also in attendance. In his opening remarks, the President expressed confidence in Cachalia’s ability to root out corruption and restore public trust in the police force.
“You must uphold the rule of law and lead the fight against corruption within the police ranks,” Ramaphosa urged Cachalia.
Cachalia, a well-respected legal academic, joins the Ministry during a tumultuous period marked by increasing scrutiny over the political influence within South African policing structures. His immediate challenges will include restoring credibility to the ministry and ensuring accountability across police leadership.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has since expressed its expectations for Cachalia’s initial actions. Among their requests is the rollout of the South African Police Service (Saps) structure that was signed into effect in May 2025—a move they argue is long overdue to remedy misalignment in police deployments and enhance service delivery. DA member, Cameron, emphasised the importance of updating the Saps Act in consultation with oversight bodies, unions, and civil society to ensure proper governance.
Moreover, the DA is calling for the swift resolution of ongoing disciplinary cases to end the culture of long, paid suspensions. The party is advocating for the re-establishment of dedicated internal disciplinary units tasked with upholding professional standards and addressing misconduct among the ranks.
In stark contrast, the African National Congress (ANC) has voiced unequivocal support for Cachalia, highlighting his expertise and integrity. As South Africa’s new police minister faces the charged atmosphere of his new office, all eyes will be on his effectiveness in combating the systemic issues that have plagued the police service under previous leadership.