Firoz Cachalia set to be sworn in as acting police minister

JOHANNESBURG - Professor Firoz Cachalia is set to be sworn in as acting minister of police on Friday. 

Cachalia will be replacing Senzo Mchunu, who has been placed on indefinite leave following corruption allegations made against him. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will facilitate the swearing-in ceremony on Friday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Anti-apartheid activist, law scholar and politician - Cachalia has balanced these three roles throughout his entire life. 

At the turn of democracy, Cachalia was part of the first cohort of provincial legislature members in Gauteng, representing the African National Congress (ANC).

After about 15 years serving in different portfolios in the Gauteng government, Cachalia stepped away from politics into academics. 

In 2012, Cachalia was appointed as a professor at the Wits University School of Law.

He comes into the position of acting police minister at a time when public faith in the country’s law enforcement agencies is at an all-time low. 

He is expected to provide a steady, temporary hand as the country waits in anticipation for the commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.