Firoz Cachalia Sworn In As Minister of Police, Comments on Political Killings Task Team

• Firoz Cachalia has been sworn in as the acting Minister of Police, replacing Senzo Mchunu
• This was after Ramaphosa placed Senzo Mchunu on special leave following allegations against him made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
• Cachalia weighed in on his duties and noted that he and General Fannie Masemola will discuss the Political Killings Task Team

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, Parliamentary Proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

UNION BUILDINGS, TSHWANE — The Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, said on 1 August 2025 during his swearing-in ceremony that he will meet with South African Police Service National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to discuss the Political Killings Task Team.

Cachalia was sworn in at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, Gauteng. His swearing-in came some weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Senzo Mchunu on special leave on 13 July 2025.

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Speaking to the media after his swearing in, Cachalia said that he will meet with Masemola on Thursday, 7 August, to discuss the Political Killings Task Team. They will then both visit KwaZulu-Natal and have a meeting with Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Cachalia said that he would do his job without fear or favour and is not here for political ambition.

"I will work hard. I am not distracted by the noise," he said.

Cachalia on Shoot-to-Kill

When asked about his stance on the police shooting criminals dead during engagements with suspects, he said that cops need to take whatever steps to protect themselves and subdue criminals subject to the law.

"We are not a banana republic. The country has a history of police abusing their powers. We cannot have lawlessness," he said.

Why was Firoz Cachalia appointed?

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Cachalia after he placed Mchunu on special leave on 13 July 2025. On the same day, he announced that a Commission of Inquiry would investigate the allegations Mkhwanazi made against Mchunu, Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya, and unnamed members of the judiciary, prosecutors, police officers, and politicians.

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What happened to Mchunu?

Mchunu initially denied the allegations, including claims that he was linked to murder-accused Cat Matlala and North West businessman Brown Mogotsi. He later admitted that he knew Mogotsi and said that Mogotsi was his comrade. He also welcomed the Commission of Inquiry and said it would give him the chance to prove his innocence.

MK Party case against Ramaphosa dismissed

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Mkhonto Wesizwe Party (MK Party) lost its court case to challenge Ramaphosa's placing Mchunu on special leave. The party appeared before the Constitutional Court on 31 July.

The court ruled that it did not have the jurisdiction to hear the case. Ramaphosa's legal team argued that the party was supposed to file the case at the High Court.

Source: Briefly News