MK Party Challenges Ramaphosa in Court Over Mchunu Leave

• MK Party’s Legal Challenge Against Presidential Decisions: The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has initiated legal proceedings in the North Gauteng High Court, challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decisions to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave, citing concerns over governance and accountability.
• Targeted Presidential Actions in Court: The MK Party is seeking to overturn three specific actions: Mchunu’s leave of absence, the appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Police Minister, and the creation of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, arguing these undermine proper governance.
• Criticism from Jacob Zuma on Ministerial Conduct: Former president Jacob Zuma criticized Mchunu’s leave of absence as

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has launched an urgent legal challenge in the North Gauteng High Court to contest President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence. The move comes after the Constitutional Court refused the party direct access in July, ruling that the matter did not fall under its exclusive jurisdiction.

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The MK Party is asking the High Court to overturn three key presidential actions: the leave of absence granted to Mchunu, the appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Police Minister, and the establishment of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. According to the party, these decisions undermine proper governance and accountability in South Africa’s security cluster.

In supporting the court application, former president Jacob Zuma described the leave of absence as “unprecedented” and criticised the resulting duplication of ministerial roles. Zuma argued that taxpayers are unfairly burdened when two ministers hold the same portfolio simultaneously, calling the arrangement inefficient and wasteful.

Political analysts say the case could have wide-reaching implications. If the High Court sides with the MK Party, it may set a precedent for how executive decisions regarding ministerial appointments and commissions are reviewed. The matter also shows ongoing tensions between the MK Party, Zuma supporters, and the current administration, following broader debates over transparency and accountability in government.

The MK Party’s filing seeks not only to have the decisions overturned but also to reaffirm the principle that executive actions can be scrutinised by the courts. The case is expected to draw attention from both political commentators and the public, as it touches on governance, constitutional oversight, and the balance of power between the presidency and other branches of government.