President’s spokesperson denies that Ramaphosa protects his comrades

A heated debate erupted on SABC News’s Face The Nation regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to holding his political allies accountable.

The controversy follows the release of the Madlanga Commission’s interim report and the subsequent establishment of a special task team to investigate police criminality. 

While the President has directed investigations into various police officials, questions have arisen regarding the exclusion of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu from this immediate probe, despite incriminating testimony.

Host Clement Manyathela challenged Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, arguing that the President displays a “tendency” to shield his “comrades” while acting decisively against others.

The central contention regarding Mchunu involves his testimony before the Madlanga Commission. 

According to Manyathela, Mchunu conceded that he issued an unlawful instruction to the National Police Commissioner to disband the PKTT (special task team).

Manyathela argued that Mchunu admitted to failing to consult before this major decision and failing to review the task team’s work, which subsequently compromised investigations.

Manyathela characterised the President’s decision to wait for the Commission’s final report as a “cop-out,” asserting that the President is not legally obligated to wait for recommendations when a minister has already conceded to serious interference in operational matters.

He questioned why taxpayers should continue to pay the salary of a minister who has admitted to such conduct.

The “tendency” to protect comrades

Manyathela broadened the scope of the interview to suggest a pattern of behaviour by President Ramaphosa. 

He argued that while the President acts against officials, he protects his political inner circle. 

To support this claim, Manyathela cited three specific examples where he believes the President failed to act decisively:

• Zweli Mkhize: There was “overwhelming evidence” against former Health Minister Mkhize regarding the Digital Vibes scandal. He criticised Ramaphosa for waiting for Mkhize to resign rather than firing him immediately, arguing that waiting for a resignation is not “decisive action.”

• David Mahlobo: The host pointed out that despite being “found wanting” by a task team investigating the State Security Agency (SSA), Mahlobo was subsequently given a job in Ramaphosa’s cabinet.

• Arthur Fraser: Similarly, Manyathela noted that Arthur Fraser was implicated in wrongdoing at the SSA but was appointed as the National Commissioner of Correctional Services rather than facing disciplinary action.

The Presidency’s defense

Vincent Magwenya strongly disagreed with the assertion that the President protects his allies. 

Regarding Mchunu, Magwenya said that while the interim report mentions the Minister, it currently contains “no recommendation against him.” He said that the process is incomplete.

The Minister is scheduled to return to the Commission to answer further allegations. Magwenya argued that acting before the Commission concludes its work would be premature and could be viewed as unfair.

He described Ramaphosa as a “person of due process,” stating that the President wants Mchunu to answer all allegations so that any future action is based on clear findings.

Magwenya added that the President has placed the Minister on “special leave,” noting that Mchunu is currently not in charge of the police portfolio.

Magwenya also pushed back against the specific examples of alleged protection provided by Manyathela:

• On Zweli Mkhize: He argued that the public was not privy to the private conversations between the President and Mkhize that led to his resignation, implying that the President may have been more active behind the scenes than it appeared.
• On Mahlobo and Fraser: Magwenya dismissed these examples as “nitpicking on small individual cases” that negate the “bigger picture.”

“You cannot make a general statement and say the president doesn’t act. Respectfully, I would argue that the president is a person who values due process,” said Magwenya.

The spokesperson said that the President has established inquiries and accepted their referrals to reform the criminal justice system, arguing that one cannot “cloud” these systemic efforts with individual cases.

While the political debate continues, the practical work of the investigation has begun. 

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed that the special task team will include investigators and prosecutors. 

He also confirmed that the individuals recommended for investigation by the Madlanga Commission—including senior police officers and municipal officials—will be placed on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of the probe.

For now, the Presidency maintains that action against Mchunu will depend on the final findings of the Commission.