The indefinite suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has sparked fresh political debate, with growing criticism over the financial implications of maintaining a suspended minister on full pay while a replacement is brought in.
Mchunu is facing scrutiny amid an ongoing commission of inquiry into alleged corruption within the South African Police Service. He is expected to be temporarily replaced by Wits University law professor Firoz Cachalia. However, questions have been raised about the cost and logic of the arrangement, especially given the police ministry already has two deputy ministers in place.
Opposition party ActionSA has strongly criticised the suspension, describing it as a misuse of public funds. The party argues that placing Mchunu on special leave amounts to a fully paid holiday and reflects a broader pattern of unchecked Cabinet perks. ActionSA plans to introduce a bill in Parliament aimed at reducing the size of the executive and cutting unnecessary expenditure.
Concerns have also been raised over the inconsistency in how ministerial suspensions are handled. In previous cases, disciplinary action against Cabinet members included defined periods and salary cuts.
In 2023, former Deputy Minister of Small Business Development Dipuo Peters was suspended for a month without pay after being found in breach of the parliamentary code of conduct. Similarly, in 2020, Minister Stella Ndabeni faced a two-month salary deduction for violating COVID-19 regulations.
Parliament’s Police Committee chairperson Ian Cameron highlighted the financial strain caused by the current situation. He questioned the logic behind paying a suspended minister’s salary while also compensating a new minister, all within a department that already includes two deputies. Cameron also noted that the commission of inquiry itself is expected to incur significant costs.
There is further uncertainty around the employment status of Mchunu’s personal staff. While such staff are typically linked to the minister’s term of office, the Presidency has yet to clarify whether they will remain on the payroll during his suspension, especially if the incoming interim minister appoints a new team.
The Presidency confirmed that Mchunu’s Cabinet duties have been suspended but stated that he will continue to receive ministerial protection. This has drawn criticism from political parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters and the MK Party, who argue that the entire arrangement is a waste of state resources.
Both parties have indicated plans to challenge the interim ministerial appointment in court. They contend that appointing a non-member of Parliament to serve in Cabinet undermines democratic processes and imposes an unnecessary financial burden on the public.
As the inquiry into police corruption moves ahead, pressure is mounting on the Presidency to justify its handling of the matter. The debate has reignited calls for leaner, more accountable governance and greater oversight of executive privileges.
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