MK Party returns to court to challenge Ramaphosa’s suspension of Mchunu

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party will return to the Pretoria High Court on Thursday as it seeks once again to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to suspend Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and appoint Firoz Cachalia as acting minister. This marks the third legal attempt by the party after its earlier challenges in the Constitutional Court and High Court were dismissed.

The Constitutional Court dismissed the MK Party’s first application on the grounds that it did not meet the requirement for direct access, and a second attempt in the High Court was struck off the roll for lack of urgency. Despite these setbacks, the party insists the matter remains unresolved and that the president’s actions were unconstitutional.

The dispute began after serious allegations were levelled against Mchunu by KwaZulu-Natal police leadership, prompting Ramaphosa to place him on leave while a judicial inquiry was established. MKP argues that the Constitution does not give the president authority to temporarily remove a minister, reassign their duties, or appoint an acting minister from outside the Cabinet under these circumstances.

The party claims the decisions were irrational and invalid, and that the inquiry should not have been established in this manner.