The government has paid R2.7 million for suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s legal representation while taxpayers continue to fund salaries for both him and his replacement, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia.
This brings the total disclosed expenditure to approximately R8.89 million by the end of August 2026, according to parliamentary records revealed by Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police.
The figure includes R3.16 million in remuneration for Mchunu while on special leave, R2.7 million for his legal costs, and R3.02 million for Cachalia’s salary as acting minister.
President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave on 13 July 2025 amid allegations involving political interference, links to criminal syndicates and the attempted disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. Mchunu has denied these allegations.
Two ministerial salaries for one portfolio
Cameron asked Cachalia in a parliamentary question whether the state was paying Mchunu’s legal fees. In a written reply, Cachalia confirmed the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development was funding Mchunu’s legal representation under the State Legal Representation Policy.
The policy provides for legal representation to state employees, members of the judiciary and members of the executive for acts or omissions committed during their official duties.
However, Cachalia did not disclose how much additional funding has been approved or committed for Mchunu’s ongoing legal costs. The reply states the expenditure “remains subject to the relevant administrative, legal and financial management” processes.
Cameron has called the arrangement “reckless use of taxpayers’ money” and urged Ramaphosa to remove Mchunu from Cabinet while allowing him to remain a member of parliament.
“Keeping two ministerial pay packages running for one portfolio is a reckless use of taxpayers’ money. Citing policy does not make it responsible,” Cameron said in a statement.
He said the R8.89 million equals more than 35 annual basic salaries for South African Police Service constables, before benefits, training and operational costs.
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Police resources stretched
Cameron highlighted the strain on police resources, pointing to his May oversight visit to Khayelitsha’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, which had 21 officials against an identified ideal of 43.
“President Ramaphosa could relieve Mchunu of his Cabinet post while he remains an MP. Any entitlement to legal representation is a separate issue,” Cameron said.
He has demanded that Ramaphosa end the current arrangement and that both the Police and Justice departments disclose the full bill and the limits on further legal spending.
Cachalia, a law professor at Wits University until July 2025, was appointed acting police minister on 13 July 2025. He previously served as chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council.
The salary figures disclosed run only to August, meaning the total cost to taxpayers continues to grow as the legal proceedings continue and both ministerial salaries remain in place.
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