Africa-Press – South-Africa. The indefinite suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is set to cause another heated political debate over the costs involved.
ActionSA, which plans to introduce a bill to parliament to reduce the size of the executive and to cut Cabinet perks, said Mchunu’s special leave is effectively a paid holiday.
In the past, President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended ministers for a set period of time.
Mchunu is expected to be replaced by Wits law professor, Firoz Cachalia next month, while a commission of inquiry investigates corruption within the police service.
Last year, Ramaphosa suspended former Deputy Minister of Small Business Development Dipuo Peters for a month without pay, after Parliament’s Ethics Committee found she breached the code of conduct during her time as Transport Minister.
In 2020, Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni was suspended from Cabinet duty and had her salary docked for two months for breaking COVID-19 regulations.
Chairperson of Parliament’s Police Committee Ian Cameron said, given the already high cost of a commission of inquiry, it’s concerning that suspended Mchunu will still be drawing a salary.
The police ministry also has two deputy ministers.
“Now we’re paying for another minister while another is on leave. I struggle to grasp the logic.”
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said while a minister’s personal staff is usually linked to their tenure, it’s unclear what will happen to Mchunu’s staff and whether they too will remain on the payroll while his replacement brings in his own.
“His Cabinet involvement and membership will be temporarily suspended. He will have protection, yes.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said putting Mchunu on special leave is an abuse of state resources.
The EFF and the MK Party said they plan to legally challenge an interim ministerial appointment from outside the National Assembly.
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