By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has criticised the appointment of Professor Firoz Chachalia as acting minister of police, saying that it would further burden taxpayers.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed an executive outsider to hold the fort as acting police minister.
Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Chachalia as acting police minister, effective August, while Senzo Mchunu remains on paid leave.
This follows serious allegations levelled against Mchunu by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Ramaphosa appointed the judicial commission of inquiry, headed by the country’s deputy chief justice Vuyisile Madlanga, will investigate claims that criminal groups have infiltrated the police, intelligence services and other parts of the justice system.
“The taxpayers will pay for Mchunu’s vacation and time off to go and consolidate his associates in the syndicates exposed by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi,”EFF said.
The party also questioned the constitutional validity of Cachalia’s appointment, arguing that Section 91 (3) (c) of the Constitution does not apply to the appointment of an acting minister.
“The President of the Republic is therefore either surrounded by incompetent advisors, legally and otherwise, or he is surrounded by advisors so cunning that they have weaponised our Constitution to enhance ANC patronage and defend the corrupt,” added the Red Berets.
Cachalia previously served as Gauteng MEC for Community Safety and Economic Development from 2004 to 2010.
Cachalia, said: “I’m still wrapping my head around what the priorities need to be.”
He believes the focus should be on “the effectiveness of the police in dealing with crime, particularly those that have a strong impact on communities.”
Fullview meanwhile learnt Justice & constitutional development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi is tipped to be appointed as acting police minister for the two weeks before Cachalia is sworn in.
A former member of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and having represented the African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SACP) since 1994, Cachalia is no stranger to the political realm.
The EFF also criticized Ramaphosa’s track record, saying previous inquiries he appointed into various matters have yielded little tangible outcome.