--- title: "Ramaphosa’s test of nerve — SA awaits announcement on Mkhwanazi's explosive allegations" description: "South Africa holds its breath as President Cyril Ramaphosa bides his time before acting on the crises in the law enforcement arena." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "ANALYSIS" author: "Victoria O’Regan" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/victoria-oregan-3-2-2/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-10-ramaphosas-test-of-nerve-sa-awaits-announcement-on-mkhwanazis-explosive-allegations/" published: "2025-07-10T21:09:12" updated: "2025-07-10T21:09:16" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 698 --- # Ramaphosa’s test of nerve — SA awaits announcement on Mkhwanazi's explosive allegations > South Africa holds its breath as President Cyril Ramaphosa bides his time before acting on the crises in the law enforcement arena. By Victoria O’Regan · Published 10 July 2025, 23:09 SAST · Updated 10 July 2025, 23:09 SAST ## Key points - As President Cyril Ramaphosa gears up to address the nation on the police scandal that has South Africa buzzing, he finds himself in a high-stakes game of political hot potato where indecision could mean handing the keys to the kingdom — or the prison — over to the very syndicates he's meant to dismantle. - President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation on 13 July regarding explosive allegations by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about a high-level criminal syndicate within SAPS. - Mkhwanazi claims Police Minister Senzo Mchunu disbanded the Political Killings Task Team to protect politically connected criminals, raising grave national security concerns. - Ramaphosa's delayed response risks speculation and internal turmoil, as political parties call for Mchunu’s suspension and an inquiry into the allegations. - The President faces mounting pressure to act decisively against Mchunu or Mkhwanazi to restore public trust and uphold the integrity of South Africa’s security services. ## Content 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](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-06-saps-commissioner-accuses-police-minister-of-derailing-probe-into-political-killings/). 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](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-06-saps-commissioner-accuses-police-minister-of-derailing-probe-into-political-killings/) The critical accusations [prompted Ramaphosa to react](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-07-crimefighting-continues-in-face-of-grave-national-security-concern-masemola-ramaphosa/). 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](https://twitter.com/CyrilRamaphosa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) 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](https://twitter.com/PresidencyZA/status/1943297232427425920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) 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](https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/president-ramaphosa-declares-mourning-period-honour-late-former-deputy-president-david-mabuza) 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](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-09-ramaphosas-quest-to-unriddle-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](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-07-crimefighting-continues-in-face-of-grave-national-security-concern-masemola-ramaphosa/)” against him are “baseless”. However, he has since admitted to knowing one of the characters singled out by Mkhwanazi — [businessman Brown Mogotsi](https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/who-is-brown-mogotsi-five-things-you-need-to-know-about-mchunus-alleged-associate-20250709-0900) — 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](https://www.news24.com/investigations/9-lives-crime-killers-and-contracts-the-dark-past-of-tender-king-cat-matlala-unravelled-20250529-1109) is in prison awaiting trial on attempted murder charges, while Mogotsi is [reportedly](https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/who-is-brown-mogotsi-five-things-you-need-to-know-about-mchunus-alleged-associate-20250709-0900) on parole for murder. Mchunu has [denied any links](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-09-no-associate-just-a-comrade-mchunu-denies-mkhwanazis-claim-of-ties-to-organised-crime-accused/) to Matlala. **Read more:**[Senzo Mchunu crafted a clean image — KZN’s top cop has blown it up](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-09-senzo-mchunu-crafted-a-clean-image-kzns-top-cop-has-blown-it-up/) On Wednesday, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza [announced](https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/media-statement-directive-speakers-office-general-mkhwanazis-allegations) 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](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-09-senzo-mchunu-crafted-a-clean-image-kzns-top-cop-has-blown-it-up/) 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**