Professor Firoz Cachalia will be sworn in as a minister on Friday 1 August at 09:00, the Presidency has announced.
The announcement comes just hours after the Constitutional Court dismissed a bid to set aside President Cyril Ramaphosas decision to appoint Cachalia, who will become Acting Police Minister.
Swearing in of Firoz CachaliaIn accordance with section 913c, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Prof Cachalia as Minister in the National Executive with the expressed intention that following the swearing-in, Minister Cachalia will be designated to act as Minister of Police, the Presidency said.
Cachalia will act as minister while Senzo Mchunu is on leave of absence. This follows Ramaphosas establishment of a commission of inquiry that will investigate allegations against Mchunu.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has accused Mchunu of interfering in South African Police Service SAPS operations and of colluding with criminal syndicates. He has denied the claims.
The commission will be chaired by outgoing Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseni Madlanga. It will also probe Mkhwanazis other allegations, including alleged infiltration of the SAPS, correctional services and prosecutors by criminal syndicates.
Earlier on Thursday, the Constitutional Court dismissed uMkhonto weSizwe MK Partys application to set aside Ramaphosas decisions to appoint Cachalia, place Mchunu on leave of absence and establish the commission.
The Court ruled that MK Party had failed to make a case that the Court had exclusive jurisdiction to hear the matter. It also refused to grant the party direct access.
The ruling means MK Party can still opt to approach the high court to challenge the Presidents decisions. The Economic Freedom Fighters EFF has already filed a high court challenge.
According to its terms of reference, the commission will submit an interim report after three months and a second one in six months. It may request for more time after that.