Zuma Takes Ramaphosa to Court Over Acting Police Minister—Here’s What’s Really Going On
Former President Jacob Zuma and his political party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), have just made a bold move that’s sending shockwaves through South Africa’s legal and political world. In an urgent application filed with the Constitutional Court, Zuma and the MK Party are challenging the recent changes made by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the police ministry. They want nothing less than a full reversal—and quickly.
Zuma’s legal team is arguing that Ramaphosa’s appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as the acting police minister, and the decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave, were not only hasty—but also unconstitutional. They believe these actions threaten the independence of police leadership and reflect what they call a “dangerous abuse of power.”
This legal drama was triggered after explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged serious political interference in police work. Zuma and the MK Party are now using these allegations to highlight what they describe as a deepening crisis in governance and leadership.
Their application doesn’t stop at complaints. It demands that Ramaphosa’s decisions be set aside and that he be legally required to take new, lawful actions within 15 days. According to their legal submission, the president’s conduct has already harmed the credibility of South Africa’s policing system, and swift corrective action is necessary.
While South Africans are still trying to digest these developments, legal experts suggest this case could be heard as early as 28 July. That gives the state less than two weeks to prepare a formal response. The outcome could reshape the leadership of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and possibly redefine the president’s power in appointing key ministers.
The urgency and timing of the application also suggest that the MK Party is using every legal and political tool to disrupt the current administration and score public support. It’s a rare but aggressive play in South Africa’s evolving power game—and one that could reveal a lot about who truly holds influence behind the scenes.
The story doesn’t end here. Just days ago, EFF leader Julius Malema also addressed tensions in the police sector during a press briefing, distancing himself from controversial businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is facing multiple charges including attempted murder and money laundering. Malema used the opportunity to call for Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s permanent removal.
The political temperature in South Africa is clearly rising. As Zuma, Malema, and other leaders position themselves on opposite ends of a fractured law enforcement debate, the public is left to watch and wonder what all of this means for safety, justice, and political stability in the country.
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Sources:
Tags: Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister, Constitutional Court, MK Party, South African Politics, SAPS, Political News
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