The Constitutional Court has provided reasons for dismissing the MK Party’s urgent application to overturn President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave. The party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, had also sought to challenge the appointment of Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia.
Delivering the reasons for the court’s July ruling, Justice Rammaka Mathopo emphasised that the application failed to meet the strict requirements for direct access.
“It is trite that this court grants direct access only in exceptional circumstances and if it is in the interest of justice to grant it. Applying established principles, this court finds that several considerations militate against granting direct access in this matter,” Mathopo stated.
While the MK Party argued that Cachalia’s appointment was unconstitutional, the court found that the urgency of the matter was insufficient to bypass the lower courts. The ruling reaffirmed the Constitutional Court’s position that exceptional grounds must be demonstrated for it to hear cases directly.
As a result, Cachalia’s appointment as Acting Police Minister remains valid. The judgment also underscored the importance of following proper legal processes in disputes involving executive decisions.
VOC News
Photo: Pixabay
