President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed National Dialogue should develop a follow-on National Development Plan to 2043 or 2053, aligning with the third and fourth 10-year implementation plans of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. (Photo: Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images via Getty Images) 
When President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation about the scandal at the top echelons of the police force on Sunday night, 13 July, a week will have passed since KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive revelations.
Ramaphosa was attending the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when Mkhwanazi made astounding accusations about fellow South African Police Service (SAPS) officers and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
He claimed, among other things, that Mchunu’s disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team at the end of last year was orchestrated to shield politically connected members of a criminal syndicate from prosecution.
Mkhwanazi effectively alleged that there is a high-level criminal syndicate operating in SA and that it extends into the SAPS, Police Ministry, Parliament, official prison structures, the judiciary and other law-enforcing authorities.
Read more: SAPS commissioner accuses police minister of derailing probe into political killings
The critical accusations prompted Ramaphosa to react.
In a statement issued from Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, 6 July, Ramaphosa said: “This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention. It is vital that the integrity of the country’s security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed.”
He promised to “outline the actions to be taken” on the matter on his return from Brazil.
On Sunday, Ramaphosa will address the nation about Mkhwanazi’s allegations, his office announced on Thursday, 10 July.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TO BRIEF THE NATION ON NATIONAL SECURITY MATTERS
President @CyrilRamaphosa will on Sunday, 13 July 2025, address the nation on developments arising from a public statement by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that details allegations…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 10, 2025
His office said Ramaphosa had “been seized with this matter … and will, following various consultations, take the nation into his confidence” at 7pm on Sunday, 13 July.
It did not elaborate on who exactly the President had consulted, nor did it indicate why Ramaphosa would only brief the country in three days’ time. Perhaps it’s because of the mourning period declared for the late Deputy President David Mabuza, whose funeral will be held on Saturday, 12 July.
Read more: Ramaphosa’s quest — to unriddle the KZN police enigma
Mkhwanazi’s revelations are the most pressing issue in South Africa, and while the President is known for taking his time, waiting days to address the issue runs the risk of allowing space for damaging leaks, internal manoeuvring and rampant speculation.
Fever pitch
By the time Sunday rolls around, the country will be in a fever pitch about what Ramaphosa will do. But the weight of Mkhwanazi’s revelations leaves him with little room for indecision.
Already, much has happened since last Sunday.
Mchunu has said that Mkhwanazi’s “wild allegations” against him are “baseless”. However, he has since admitted to knowing one of the characters singled out by Mkhwanazi — businessman Brown Mogotsi — as “just a comrade”.
Mkhwanazi, at his press conference, presented WhatsApp exchanges allegedly sourced from the phone of organised crime accused Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, which purportedly show communication between Matlala, Mchunu and Mogotsi. Matlala is in prison awaiting trial on attempted murder charges, while Mogotsi is reportedly on parole for murder.
Mchunu has denied any links to Matlala.
Read more: Senzo Mchunu crafted a clean image — KZN’s top cop has blown it up
On Wednesday, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza announced that she had asked three parliamentary committees to investigate the claims. The portfolio committees on Police, Justice, and Constitutional Development will probe the allegations “on an urgent basis” and report back to the National Assembly.
Some political parties have laid criminal charges against Mchunu, while others have called for his immediate suspension. There have also been calls for Ramaphosa to appoint a commission of inquiry into the allegations.
In the days leading up to Ramaphosa’s address, public expectations will continue to grow, while parties continue to attempt to score political points from the crisis.
Either way, as Cyril Madlala wrote in Daily Maverick, Ramaphosa will have to act against Mchunu or Mkhwanazi — or both. Failing to act will only worsen the crisis. He can’t delay another week. DM