Democratic Alliance MP and Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to permanently remove Senzo Mchunu as Police Minister, arguing that the continued arrangement is placing an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers.
In a post on X, Cameron said the State had paid R2.7 million towards Mchunu’s legal representation, in addition to approximately R3.16 million in remuneration paid to the minister while on special leave. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia received a further R3.02 million in remuneration over the period covered by the parliamentary disclosures.
The combined figures amount to approximately R8.89 million in disclosed legal costs and remuneration. The salary figures run up to August 2026, while the latest parliamentary response did not specify how much additional funding for Mchunu’s legal representation had been approved or committed. (IOL)
Cameron argued that the amount was equivalent to more than 35 annual basic salaries at the South African Police Service’s advertised 2026 constable salary rate, excluding benefits, training and operational costs.
He also pointed to staffing shortages at the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit in Khayelitsha, saying that during his oversight visit in May, the unit had 21 officials against an identified ideal of 43.
“President Ramaphosa could relieve Mchunu of his Cabinet post while he remains an MP. Any entitlement to legal representation is a separate issue,” Cameron said.
He argued that paying remuneration to both Mchunu and Cachalia for the same ministerial portfolio was an irresponsible use of public funds and called on the Presidency and the departments of Police and Justice to disclose the full legal costs and any limits on further spending.
The R2.7 million in legal costs was confirmed by Cachalia in a written parliamentary response. He said Mchunu’s legal representation was being funded in terms of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s State Legal Representation Policy, which provides for legal assistance to officials in matters arising from their official duties. The response did not provide a total for any further legal costs that may be incurred. (IOL)
Mchunu was placed on special leave in July 2025 following allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi concerning alleged political interference and other matters relating to policing. Mchunu has denied wrongdoing.
Cameron’s call places renewed focus on the cost of the prolonged arrangement, with the President yet to announce a permanent change to the Police Ministry.
