South African President Cyril Ramaphosa placed police minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave of absence on Sunday, following accusations by a top police official that he had colluded with a criminal syndicate and interfered in high-profile investigations. Mchunu denied the allegations by Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, police commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal province, at a media briefing last Sunday. He said the accusations were baseless and in a statement issued by his spokesperson last week said he was committed to upholding the rule of law. Ramaphosa, whose rise to the highest office was built on promises to fight corruption, has been under pressure to act swiftly as political parties and citizens said the allegations called into question the integrity of the criminal justice system. Investors have for years expressed concern over rampant crime that the World Bank estimates costs South Africa an estimated 10% of gross domestic product each year. “These allegations therefore call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation,” Ramaphosa said in a public address which was carried by the public broadcaster and private TV stations, adding he would establish a judicial commission of inquiry for this purpose. Ramaphosa said he will appoint law professor Firoz Cachalia as acting minister of police.

Full report : South Africa’s Ramaphosa removes police minister over criminal link allegations.