ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has made it clear that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, currently on special leave from government, will not step aside from his roles within the African National Congress (ANC).
Mbalula addressed the media yesterday on the sidelines of the ANC National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Cape Town, where the NWC reviewed ANC structures in the Western Cape.
Despite being placed on special leave, Mchunu attended the meeting. Mbalula stated that the ANC’s step-aside rule only applies to individuals who face criminal charges.
Mbalula Defends Mchunu
“The President has put Senzo aside with immediate effect. You can question how that has happened, but he is aside. We have an acting minister chairing the meeting inside. I repeat, Senzo will not step aside in relation to the ANC. He is an elected member, and he has the right to state his side of the story under the Audi Alteram Partem principle,” Mbalula explained.
An independent judge and a judicial commission appointed by the president will evaluate the matter, Mbalula added.
“Once we listen to that and assess the facts, we can pass judgment. Let’s allow the process to follow,” he said.
MK Party Challenge and Allegations
Mbalula dismissed concerns about the Constitutional Court challenge launched by the MK Party against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to place Mchunu on special leave.
He stressed that Ramaphosa acted correctly in handling the allegations of political interference levelled against Mchunu by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
“What the president has done to process these allegations is the right thing to do in a constitutional democracy. We, as the ANC, support that decision. The concerns raised by the General are receiving full attention,” Mbalula said.
Do you think political leaders should continue ANC roles while facing serious allegations?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
