ConCourt gives parties involved in MK Party challenge against Mchunu until Thursday to lodge papers

CAPE TOWN - The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) has given parties involved in the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s challenge against suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu until Thursday to lodge their papers.

The party approached the ConCourt on an urgent basis on Friday, arguing that President Cyril Ramaphosa took a series of irrational decisions following accusations of corruption levelled against Mchunu by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The court on Sunday issued directions to parties cited in the application, with interested parties given until the end of Monday to notify the court of intention to intervene.

In its application to the Constitutional Court, the MK Party said Ramaphosa took at least three decisions that are either irrational or inconsistent with the Constitution.

These include placing Mchunu on a leave of absence, appointing Firoz Cachalia as an acting minister to take his place, and establishing a commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations of corruption within the police.

The party wants the court to set all three of these decisions aside.

Acknowledging that this court does not usually deal with urgent matters, in this case, the MK Party’s Parliamentary leader John Hlophe said it’s necessary, since the commission of inquiry is due to be established soon, and Cachalia is also expected to take up his position in August.

In directions issued by the court, it’s given respondents in the matter which include President Ramaphosa, Mchunu, Cachalia and acting Police Minister Gwede Mantashe, until Tuesday to indicate whether they intend to oppose the application.

The MK Party will have to respond to opposition to its case by Thursday.

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