Cameron urges Ramaphosa to fire Mchunu as state costs near R6 million - IOL

Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia has revealed that taxpayers have paid R2.7 million towards Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's legal fees while he remains at home on special leave.

Police Portfolio Committee chairperson Ian Cameron has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Senzo Mchunu from Cabinet, arguing that taxpayers should not continue footing a bill approaching R6 million for the minister’s salary and legal costs while he remains on special leave.

The call follows acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia’s disclosure to Parliament that the Justice Department has paid R2.7 million towards Mchunu’s legal fees.

Cameron said Mchunu’s remuneration and legal expenses had cost the state approximately R5.86 million since he was placed on special leave in July 2025.

“Taxpayers are paying the full package, just over R3 million per annum, for Mchunu and they have also paid, and this is the most shocking part, just over R2.7 million on legal costs,” Cameron said.

He argued that Ramaphosa could remove Mchunu from Cabinet without stripping him of his parliamentary seat, meaning he would retain his parliamentary remuneration.

Cameron criticised the decision to keep Mchunu in his ministerial position while Cachalia performs the duties of acting police minister.

“This is absolutely reckless and negligent taxpayer spending,” he said.

The dispute comes amid serious allegations against Mchunu by KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused the minister of colluding with criminals and using political influence to interfere in government decisions, particularly within the justice system.

Cameron said removing Mchunu from Cabinet would not amount to a criminal conviction.