Ramaphosa: Firing Whitfield can't be compared to placing Mchunu on special leave
Ramaphosa is expected to defend his executive decisions on Wednesday, related to Mchunu and the establishment of a commission of inquiry into corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS), before the Constitutional Court.
President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting on the National Dialogue at the Union Buiildings on 11 July 2025. Picture: Simphiwe Nkosi / Eyewitness News.
CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa said firing the former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Andrew Whitfield, cannot be compared to him placing Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on special leave amid corruption allegations.
Ramaphosa is expected to defend his executive decisions on Wednesday, related to Mchunu and the establishment of a commission of inquiry into corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS), before the Constitutional Court.
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The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is asking the court to set aside three of Ramaphosa’s decisions that followed explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of collusion and interference allegedly involving Mchunu.
But Ramaphosa said the party’s application is premature.
Ramaphosa said the MK Party was drawing a flawed analogy between firing Whitfield and suspending Mchunu.
In papers filed with the Constitutional Court, Ramaphosa said Whitfield violated the rules for the members of the executive and admitted to it.
Whitfield travelled to the United States (US) on party business in March without the president’s permission.
He was fired in June.
On the other hand, Ramaphosa said he can’t fire Mchunu on untested allegations.
He said it’s not unprecedented to place a minister on special leave, and Mchunu’s not received the special treatment of an ally.
“Furthermore, the allegations against Mchunu are of the most serious type and therefore, warrant a proper process of investigation while Mr Mchunu does not exercise any powers. The result is achieved by placing him on special leave.”
Moreover, Ramaphosa is questioning whether the Constitutional Court should even entertain Wednesday’s application by the MK Party on an urgent basis without it having approached the lower courts first.