Former president Jacob Zuma and the MK party are preparing for a major legal showdown with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Pretoria High Court has scheduled the case for 18 September 2025, where Zuma will challenge Ramaphosa’s decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and appoint Professor Feroz Cachalia as acting minister.
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The case, initially set for a hearing this week, went into case management before being moved to September.
“As discussed, the matter is hereby set down as a special motion on 18 September 2025 before a full court,” the Judiciary confirmed.
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This follows Zuma’s failed attempt in the Constitutional Court, which on 31 July 2025 ruled that his application did not fall under its jurisdiction.
Explosive Allegations Behind the Legal Dispute
Zuma’s case against Ramaphosa stems from allegations made by KZN police chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claimed South Africa’s justice system was infiltrated by criminals. He further accused Mchunu of disbanding the KZN political killings task team to shield politically connected crime syndicates.
Zuma and the MK party want the high court to declare Ramaphosa’s decisions—including Cachalia’s appointment and the establishment of a commission of inquiry—“invalid, null, void, unconstitutional and set aside.”
Ramaphosa’s legal team, led by advocate Kate Hofmeyr, argued that such challenges should be handled by the high court rather than the Constitutional Court, paving the way for next month’s high-profile hearing.
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Sibiya vs Masemola: Another Police Battle in Court
Parallel to Zuma’s case, the Gauteng High Court is also dealing with another police leadership dispute. Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, is challenging his suspension by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
Sibiya, accused by Mkhwanazi of being a “criminal” and colluding with Mchunu, denies all allegations and insists his suspension was unlawful and procedurally flawed.
He maintains he was not involved in disbanding the Political Killings Task Team, which Mkhwanazi alleged was protecting Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala—a murder accused facing charges including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and money laundering linked to a R360 million SAPS tender scandal.
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Despite the allegations, Mchunu has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Sibiya is demanding to return to work and has given Masemola a deadline to reverse the suspension.
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