President Cyril Ramaphosa has been accused of protecting suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and misusing public funds following a parliamentary disclosure. The disclosure revealed that Mchunu received R3.16 million in taxpayer-funded remuneration while on special leave. This amount represents Mchunu's standard ministerial salary and benefits paid out over a 13-month period, between July 2025 and August 2026.
Mchunu has been on special leave since July 13, 2025, following serious allegations of corruption, fraud, and political interference in policing. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi publicly accused Mchunu of meddling in operations, including the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) after 2022. Mchunu was also accused of working with criminal syndicates and leveraging his political power and state resources to manipulate decision-making within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The ActionSA party has accused Ramaphosa of allowing public money to be wasted for political considerations. The party is carefully considering how to approach the upcoming Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in relation to the South African Police Service's budget. They argue that the public money spent on Mchunu's leave is desperately needed to strengthen policing and keep South Africans safe.
Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya previously confirmed that while Ramaphosa had accepted interim recommendations from the Madlanga Commission, Mchunu's long-term fate remains on hold until the full judicial commission concludes its work and delivers its final findings. Mchunu has strongly denied all allegations, calling them baseless during his appearance before the Madlanga Commission in December 2025.
Build One South Africa (Bosa) has also argued that the endless paid leave arrangement is neither transparent nor sustainable. Bosa's leader Mmusi Maimane said an inquiry cannot become an excuse for indefinite political limbo, adding that the public deserves a clear process, clear timelines, and accountability for whoever is responsible for policing. Cachalia revealed that he was paid R3,024,834.58 for performing the ministerial duties during the same period.
In total, South African taxpayers spent R6,187,364.48 between July 2025 and August 2026 to cover the remuneration packages of both officials for a single ministerial portfolio. Mchunu earns a base annual salary of approximately R2.69m, and the R3.16m figure represents total comprehensive remuneration, which includes standard executive perks and allowances. According to analysis, this amount can cover the annual salary of approximately 11 to 15 entry-level police officers in South Africa.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) and political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu have criticized Ramaphosa's decision to delay action, calling it reckless with taxpayers' money and a political stalling tactic to buy time and resuscitate Mchunu's wobbly political career. Duvenhage added that the funds allocated to Mchunu's salary could have gone much further in other security-related initiatives.
Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has been accused of misusing public funds for political survival by allowing suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to receive R3.16 million in taxpayer-funded remuneration while on special leave.
- The opposition parties have criticized the decision, calling it a waste of public money and a lack of transparency and accountability.
- Mchunu has been on special leave since July 13, 2025, following serious allegations of corruption, fraud, and political interference in policing.
