Zuma’s lawyers dismiss Ramaphosa’s reasons for suspending Mchunu as fallacy

JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers for former President Jacob Zuma have dismissed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reasons for suspending Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu as a fallacy that has proven unsuccessful in the past.

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, its leader, Zuma, and Ramaphosa battled it out on Wednesday in the Constitutional Court.

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The party wants the president’s decision to suspend Mchunu and appoint an acting police commissioner set aside.

They are also challenging the judicial commission of inquiry that was necessitated by bombshell allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Ramaphosa's argument in the Constitutional Court case against him by the MK Party is that it is rational that Mchunu be investigated for the allegations made before he decides to fire him.

However, the MK Party’s lawyer advocate, Dali Mpofu, said judging by the lack of prosecution of high-profile politicians implicated in the State Capture Commission of Inquiry, that is a fallacy, as many were rewarded with ministerial positions and seats in Parliament.

Mpofu has used Gwede Mantashe as an example: “The president to sustain that argument would have to pass the Mantashe test, and he fails dismally because, as we speak now, despite the tested allegations that were in the Zondo commission, what did the president do? He has appointed Mantashe acting minister of police, as we speak today.”

While it noted the urgency of the matter with Professor Firoz Cachalia expected to take office as acting minister on Friday, the court has reserved its judgment.