President Ramaphosa’s Address on General Mkhwanazi’s Allegations

Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at a press briefing

What a week!  If you hadn’t already heard, a political bombshell exploded across South Africa (07/06/25) when Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Lucky Mkhwanazi, the Provincial Police Commissioner of KwaZulu Natal Province, in what appear to be full military gear (it wasn’t) flanked by similarly dressed men with guns, gave a press conference where he made a bunch of explosive accusations including the fact that his ultimate boss Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Police, shut down an investigation into political killings because  of his involvement in criminal activity.

For a summery of  what he said, check out the BBC report on the story. Here is the full text of his press conference.  The video is embedded below.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Brazil attending the BRICS conference when this political earthquake hit.  He addressed the nation yesterday.  And as I dreaded, the big takeaway was that yet another commission was being called to look into the allegations.   Ughhhhhhhhh!!!!!!   He said the commission would “submit the final report to the President. Interim reports are expected after 3 and 6 months respectively. The final report of the commission will be sent to the Speaker and to the Chief Justice.”

The other big take away was that Minister Mchunu would be put on special leave effective immediately and that Ramaphosa was bringing in Wits law professor, Firoz Cachalia, to fill in as the Acting P0lice Minister starting August 1. In the interim, someone from the cabinet would fill the position.

Here is the  full text of his speech. The video is embedded below.

I think the President’s response to this crisis was adequate but not great. I know a bunch of people were mad that there wasn’t  more of a forceful condemnation from Ramaphosa. And yes, he did look tired when he delivered the speech, but that wasn’t as big an issue for me. I’m sure all of this has been exhausting for him.

My number 1 criticism of the speech (other than calling for yet another commission!!!!) was that there was no mention whatsoever of witness protection or safety measures especially given the fact that at the heart of the allegations are political assignations and officials who allegedly have relationships with criminal syndicates and gangs. One can NEVER bring up the issue of witness protection/safety enough in such situations.  Given the currently climate and reality of witness protection/safety, I wouldn’t say shit if I had any relevant info related to this situation if I wanted to be able to go home alive to my family and communities.

The second issue I have with the speech was the 3/6 month interim report benchmarks.  That will do NOTHING to increase the already tarnished public trust in institutions. What actual, practical things are going to happen in between those benchmarks?  Let people know what’s being done to secure the evidence. Let people know what other suspensions and firing will take place. Also, is the President the only one who will see these interim reports or will the rest of us see them as well? That was not clear at all.

The third issue I had with the speech was that the minister was put on a leave of absence with full benefits.  If he is found to be implicated, does the state get to recoup what he was paid? How long is this leave of absence? Until the the report is eventually submitted? This report won’t be ready in at least 6 months. Not a good look at all.

Lastly, as a “communications professional” and the other things I do, I’m interested in how the Office of Presidency’s communications team will deal with the pushback the speech is getting and will get.  I could say more but I will leave it there.

Below is the video of President Ramaphosa’s full speech.

Below is  the full video of Mkhwanazi’s press conference.

Dan Corder did a great update a few days after Mkhwanazi’s press conference that broke down the different  issues and players mentioned and identified in the alleged scandals.

Eyewitness News‘ (EWN) amazing political journalist Tshidi Madia (QUEEN!!!!) hosted a radio show before and after Ramaphosa’s address to the nation to analyze and give some context to the address. As usual she did an exceptional job. She was joined by EWN’s crime journalist Orrin Singh, 2 professors and representatives of almost all the major political parties who called in to give their opinions.