Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's continued full pay during 10 months of special leave.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
South African taxpayers in South Africa continue to financially shoulder the burden of a double salary being paid to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Despite being removed from active duty ten months ago, Mchunu remains on full pay while on special leave.
Mchunu was placed on special leave following allegations of serious corruption and interference in police investigations in July 2025.
However, despite performing no ministerial duties for the past 10 months, Mchunu has continued to earn a salary of approximately R2,69 million annually, translating to about R224,166.67 per month, with a 3,8% increase effective April 2026.
Mchunu was implicated by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in 2025 regarding the alleged infiltration of law enforcement agencies by criminal syndicates, specifically involving the disbanding of a task team investigating political killings - the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
While Mchunu has been on paid leave, Professor Firoz Cachalia was appointed to act as the Minister of Police, reportedly earning a full ministerial salary.
The special leave was initiated to allow him to prepare for and testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating allegations of political interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS), particularly regarding the disbandment of the PKTT.
Mchunu appeared twice before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in early December 2025 to defend himself against claims made by Mkhwanazi, who had alleged that Mchunu interfered in police operations and shielded individuals under investigation.
However, 10 months later, the situation remains in place, with the President indicating a decision will follow the finalisation of the investigation - the commission is expected to continue hearing testimony until August.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) said although special leave is not the same as dismissal or suspension without benefits, 'politics is getting in the way of this matter'.
“It is a concern that we have people on long-term suspensions throughout the government as it is. We have this far too often in various departments, just as we have it with the Presidency. This indicates an inability to hold people to account, to follow due process, and to address these issues promptly. Obviously, it is a little different when it comes to cabinet members, but in this case, with Mchunu, we believe the President is taking far too long,” said OUTA CEO, Wayne Duvenhage.
Opposition parties, including the EFF and DA, had previously raised strong concerns regarding Mchunu continuing to receive his full salary while on special leave or suspension.
The EFF described the decision as a “flagrant abuse of state resources” and an “indefinite paid holiday”, while the DA stated that taxpayers are paying Mchunu's salary while also funding the salary of an acting police minister, creating a double burden on the public purse.
Mchunu has historically been recognised as one of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s strongest and most critical political allies within the ANC.
Mchunu was highly instrumental in securing votes for Ramaphosa during the 2017 ANC elective election. He leveraged his political influence to rally branches against the Jacob Zuma-backed faction.
He has served as Ramaphosa's primary loyalist and organiser in KwaZulu-Natal, a vital province where Ramaphosa’s personal support has traditionally been weak.
Political analyst Professor Andre Duvenhage said it was difficult to justify paying a double minister's salary.
“He is a strategic weapon for the survival of Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa will keep him there as long as possible,” he said, adding that this has become a burden for the ANC.
Mchunu, offered to step aside from his ANC party duties following the allegations, but in March announced his readiness to return to the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) work, believing his preparations for the commission had progressed sufficiently, though he remained on leave from his Cabinet position.
manyane.manyane@inl.co.za