President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, as Acting Minister of Police with immediate effect.

Minister Mantashe will fulfil this role until Professor Firoz Cachalia assumes the position at the beginning of August, following his retirement from the University of the Witwatersrand at the end of the month.

On July 13, Ramaphosa announced that Professor Firoz Cachalia would assume the role of Minister of Police under Section 91(3)(c) of the Constitution, which permits the President to appoint up to two ministers from outside the National Assembly.

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Meanwhile, Gwede Mantashe’s appointment as Acting Minister of Police is in accordance with Section 98 of the Constitution. This provision allows the President to assign the powers or functions of a cabinet member to another minister if the original officeholder is absent or unable to perform their duties.

During this interim period, Mantashe will continue to carry out his responsibilities as Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.