President Ramaphosa appoints Gwede Mantashe as Acting Police Minister

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister, Gwede Mantashe has been appointed Acting Police Minister after Senzo Mchunu was placed on special leave.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mantashe to act in the position with immediate effect.

Mchunu was put on special leave after he was linked to alleged corruption in the police service.

In a short statement released on Tuesday night, the Presidency said Mantashe will act as Police Minister until Professor Firoz Cachalia assumes the position at the start of August.

In a late-night address on Sunday, Ramaphosa announced that Cachalia would act in the position in accordance with section 91 subsection (3)(c) of the Constitution which grants the president the authority to appoint a maximum of two ministers from outside the National Assembly.

Mantashe’s appointment as Acting Police Minister is in line with section 98 of the constitution.

The provision prescribes that the President may assign to a cabinet member any power or function of another member who is absent from office or is unable to exercise that power or perform that function. 

Mantashe will, however, retain his responsibilities as Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.