Category: Africa

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African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 va présenter les opportunités du bloc africain dans le contexte de la vague de cycles d’octroi de licences en 2024/2025


L’Afrique se prépare à attirer une vague d’investissements dans les blocs d’exploration, avec une augmentation des cycles d’octroi de licences pétrolières et gazières qui seront lancés au cours de la période 2024/2025. Selon le rapport « State of African Energy 2025 Outlook » de la Chambre africaine de l’énergie (https://EnergyChamber.org/), ces efforts s’inscrivent dans une stratégie plus large visant à exploiter le potentiel énergétique inexploité du continent, à attirer les investissements internationaux et à stimuler la croissance économique à long terme. Cette année, la conférence « African Energy Week (AEW) : Invest in African Energies » mettra l’accent sur les cycles d’octroi de licences en Afrique, mettant en relation les opérateurs avec les opportunités émergentes dans ce domaine à travers le continent.

Afrique du Nord

La Libye a lancé sa dernière série d’octroi de licences en mars 2025, proposant 22 blocs d’exploration onshore et offshore dans les bassins de Syrte, Murzuq et Ghadamès. Cette série a déjà suscité l’intérêt de 37 entreprises potentielles, et les contrats avec les soumissionnaires retenus devraient être signés d’ici la fin de l’année. Il s’agit de la première série d’octroi de licences depuis 2011, et cette initiative intervient alors que la Libye cherche à augmenter sa production pour atteindre deux millions de barils par jour. L’Algérie a attribué cinq licences en juin 2025 dans le cadre de sa dernière série d’appels d’offres pour le pétrole et le gaz. Lancée en novembre 2024, cette série d’appels d’offres portait sur six blocs terrestres et s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une stratégie pluriannuelle plus large visant à attirer les investissements internationaux dans les opportunités d’exploration. Les blocs couvrent cinq bassins et représentent un élément central de la stratégie du pays qui prévoit d’investir jusqu’à 50 milliards de dollars dans des projets liés aux hydrocarbures au cours des quatre prochaines années. L’Égypte a lancé un nouvel appel d’offres en mars 2025, comprenant 12 opportunités d’investissement. L’appel d’offres comprend 10 blocs offshore en mer Méditerranée et deux blocs onshore dans la région du delta du Nil et intervient alors que le pays intensifie l’exploration dans des zones non développées. 

Afrique de l’Ouest

La Sierra Leone se prépare à lancer un nouvel appel d’offres en 2025 dans le cadre de sa volonté d’accélérer l’exploration et de devenir un pays producteur de pétrole. Le pays dispose actuellement d’environ 50 blocs offshore disponibles pour négociation directe, couvrant 63 000 km² et soutenus par un système pétrolier éprouvé. Le prochain appel d’offres devrait encore stimuler les investissements. Le Nigeria devrait lancer un nouveau cycle d’octroi de licences pétrolières et gazières en 2025, axé sur les champs non développés. Ce cycle fait suite à la conclusion réussie d’un appel d’offres en 2024, à l’issue duquel 25 entreprises se sont vu attribuer des licences de prospection pétrolière. Le Libéria a également lancé un cycle d’octroi de licences par négociation directe en 2024, avec 29 blocs offshore disponibles à l’investissement dans les bassins du Libéria et de Harper. Cette série d’octroi de licences vise à stimuler de nouveaux investissements dans les bassins frontaliers du pays et s’appuie sur une vaste bibliothèque de données souterraines multi-clients, comprenant plus de 24 000 kilomètres de données sismiques 2D et plus de 26 000 km² de données sismiques 3D.

Afrique de l’Est

La Tanzanie se prépare à offrir de nouvelles opportunités d’exploration pétrolière et gazière avec un cycle d’octroi de licences qui débutera en 2025. Au total, 26 blocs seront mis à disposition, dont trois dans le lac Tanganyika et 23 dans l’océan Indien. L’autorité de régulation en amont du pays, la Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority, a déjà identifié les blocs et compilé les données nécessaires au processus. Le cycle d’octroi de licences sera lancé après l’approbation par le gouvernement du modèle d’accord de partage de production. Il s’agit de la première série depuis plus de dix ans. En outre, le Kenya devrait lancer sa première série d’octroi de licences pétrolières et gazières en septembre 2025, proposant dix blocs à l’exploration. Les blocs ont été sélectionnés à l’aide de données géoscientifiques afin de garantir la transparence du processus d’attribution. La série d’octroi de licences s’appuie sur des études sismiques et des rapports géologiques complets, qui faciliteront les futures activités d’exploration. Les principales cibles sont les bassins de Lamu et d’Anza, tous deux connus pour leur potentiel en hydrocarbures. L’Ouganda devrait également lancer un cycle d’octroi de licences au cours de l’exercice 2025/2026, offrant de nouvelles zones pour l’exploration pétrolière et gazière.

Afrique australe

Dans le cadre de sa stratégie d’octroi de licences sur six ans, l’Angola devrait lancer son prochain cycle d’octroi de licences en 2025, proposant dix blocs à explorer dans les bassins offshore de Kwanza et Benguela. Ce cycle d’appel d’offres fait suite à la conclusion réussie d’un appel d’offres en 2023, à l’issue duquel neuf entreprises ont été qualifiées comme opérateurs et cinq comme non-opérateurs. La Namibie a mis en place un système d’octroi de licences ouvert à tous en 2024 afin de traiter son arriéré de demandes et de rationaliser les procédures. Ce système intervient alors que le pays connaît un regain d’intérêt pour l’exploration suite à d’importantes découvertes réalisées depuis 2022.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

About African Energy Week:
AEW : Invest in African Energies est la plateforme de choix pour les opérateurs de projets, les financiers, les fournisseurs de technologies et les gouvernements, et s’est imposée comme le lieu officiel pour signer des accords dans le domaine de l’énergie en Afrique. Rendez-vous sur www.AECWeek.com pour plus d’infos sur cet événement passionnant.

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African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 to Outline African Block Opportunities Amid Surge in 2024/2025 Licensing Rounds

Source: APO


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Africa is gearing up to attract a wave of investment in exploration blocks, with a surge in oil and gas licensing rounds being launched during the 2024/2025 period. According to the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report (https://EnergyChamber.org/), these efforts are part of a broader strategy to unlock the continent’s untapped energy potential, attract international investment and stimulate long-term economic growth. This year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference will spotlight Africa’s licensing rounds, connecting operators to emerging blocks opportunities across the continent.

North Africa

Libya launched its latest licensing round in March 2025, offering 22 onshore and offshore exploration blocks across the Sirte, Murzuq and Ghadames basins. The licensing round has already drawn interest from 37 prospective companies, with contracts with successful bidders expected to be signed by the end of the year. Representing the country’s first licensing round since 2011, the initiative comes as Libya seeks to increase production to two million barrels per day. Algeria awarded five licenses in June 2025 as part of its latest oil and gas bid round. Launched in November 2024, the bid round featured sic onshore blocks for competitive bidding and falls part of a broader multi-year licensing strategy aimed at attracting global investment in exploration opportunities. The blocks span five basins and represents a core component of the country’s strategy to invest up to $50 billion into hydrocarbon projects over the next four years. Egypt launched a new bid round in March 2025, comprising 12 investment opportunities. The bid round includes 10 offshore blocks in the Mediterranean Sea and two onshore blocks in the Nile Delta region and comes as the country intensifies exploration across undeveloped acreage. 

West Africa

Sierra Leone is preparing to launch a new licensing round in 2025 as part of its drive to fast-track exploration and become an oil-producing nation. The country currently has around 50 offshore blocks available for direct negotiation, spanning 63,000 km² and backed by a proven petroleum system. The upcoming licensing round will further entice spending. Nigeria is set to launch a new oil and gas licensing round in 2025, focusing on undeveloped fields. The upcoming round follows the successful conclusion of a 2024 tender, whereby 25 companies were awarded Petroleum Prospecting Licenses. Liberia also initiated a Direct Negotiation Licensing Round in 2024, with 29 offshore blocks available for investment in the Liberia and Harper basins. The licensing round seeks to drive new investment in the country’s frontier basins and is supported by an extensive library of multi-client subsurface data, including over 24,000 kilometers of 2D seismic data and more than 26,000 km² of 3D seismic data.

East Africa

Tanzania is preparing to offer new oil and gas exploration opportunities with a licensing round launching in 2025. A total of 26 blocks will be made available, including three blocks in Lake Tanganyika and 23 in the Indian Ocean. The country’s upstream regulator the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority has already identified the blocks and compiled the necessary data for the process. Following government approval for the Model Production Sharing Agreement, the licensing round will be launched. The round represents the first in more than ten years. Additionally, Kenya is expected to launch its inaugural oil and gas licensing round in September 2025, offering ten blocks for exploration. The blocks were selected using geoscientific data to ensure a transparent allocation process. The licensing round is supported by comprehensive seismic surveys and geological reports, thereby supporting future exploration activities. Primary targets include the Lamu and Anza basins, both of which are known for their hydrocarbon potential. Uganda is also set to launch a licensing round during the 2025/2026 fiscal year, offering new areas for oil and gas exploration.

Southern Africa

Part of its six-year licensing strategy, Angola is expected to launch its next licensing round in 2025, offering ten blocks for exploration in the offshore Kwanza and Benguela basins. The bid round follows the successful conclusion of a 2023 tender, whereby nine companies qualified as operators and five qualified as non-operators. Namibia rolled out an open-door licensing system in 2024 to address its backlog of applications and streamline procedures. The system comes as the country experiences a surge in exploration interest following major discoveries made since 2022.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About African Energy Week:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

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Police and Justice Committee Chairpersons Notes Commission of Inquiry but Parliament Process to Continue

Source: APO


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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Xola Nqola, have noted the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish a Commission of Inquiry on allegations made by the SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

“The announcement of the establishment of a commission will surely enable a process to root out corruption from the SAPS. It is important that the establishment of the commission is not merely cosmetic but facilitates greater reflection and steps to rejuvenate the entire criminal Justice system,” said Mr Ian Cameron.

“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as well as the Judiciary and Magistracy are pillars of the criminal justice system and constitutional rule of law. They are the guardians of justice and accountability, and we cannot have a question mark hanging over them, causing the public to lose confidence in our justice system,” said Mr Xola Nqola.

While the announcement is welcomed, both Chairpersons highlighted that the process announced by the President does not affect the parliamentary process. “The directive from the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly was clear, and the committees will endeavour to urgently implement the directive. Also, the Constitution mandates the national legislature to ensure effective oversight and accountability over the executive. It is in this context that the parliamentary process continues, especially because the credibility of the entire criminal justice system is at stake,” Mr Nqola said.

Both Chairpersons underscored the importance of having an effective and efficient justice system that is capable of ensuring the safety and security of everyone. Despite the decisions made by the President, the perception of a systematic breakdown remains, and the parliamentary process might assist in ensuring openness and accountability.

As a result, the committees will hold an initial meeting later this week to consider a way forward and report to the National Assembly as guided by the Speaker.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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Visit to Japan by H.E. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe

Source: APO


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H.E. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe will pay a visit to Japan from July 14 to 18.

  1. During his stay in Japan, President Mnangagwa will participate in the Zimbabwean National Day Event of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, on July 16, as the official guest of the Government of Japan, as well as the Japan-Zimbabwe Business Forum.
  2. The visit of President Mnangagwa is expected to further develop the bilateral relations between Japan and Zimbabwe.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

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Our Rights are Non-Negotiable: How Reservations to the Maputo Protocol are Holding Back Women’s Rights in Africa (By Deborah Nyokabi and Gicuku Kiragu)

Source: APO

By Deborah Nyokabi (http://apo-opa.co/3GFEO0H) and Gicuku Kiragu (http://apo-opa.co/4eJwzNC), Legal Equality Experts, Equality Now (www.EqualityNow.org).

July 2025 marks 22 years since the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (http://apo-opa.co/4lsiHdm) – known as the Maputo Protocol – by the African Union Heads of State Assembly. Over the past two decades, the Protocol has played a pivotal role in advancing the rights of women and girls across the continent. Yet, despite this progress, its full promise remains unfulfilled for millions due to shortfalls in ratification, domestication, and effective implementation by many African governments.

Reservations to the Maputo Protocol – instances when states choose not to be bound by specific provisions of the treaty – continue to limit key rights such as access to safe abortion, protection from child marriage, fair legal treatment in divorce, and the right to inherit property.

These reservations, often supported by cultural or religious justifications, have real-life and potentially devastating consequences, particularly for survivors of gender-based violence and marginalised women and girls who are especially in need of legal protection.

Women’s rights are increasingly under threat from rollback

Reservations against the Protocol constrict the scope of legal protections at a time when hard-won women’s rights are increasingly being undermined by rollbacks around the world. In Africa (http://apo-opa.co/4lxrPxo) and elsewhere, anti-gender actors are a serious threat to women’s rights (http://apo-opa.co/46EM3QU), gender and sexuality diversity, and democracy itself.

This concerning trend is highlighted in Equality Now’s 2025 report, Words & Deeds: Holding Governments Accountable in the Beijing+30 Review Process (http://apo-opa.co/40jdgVz), which identifies how legal protections for women and girls in some countries have been weakened or overturned through regressive legislative changes, judicial rulings, and funding cuts.

State reservations against the Maputo Protocol hinder women’s human rights

The option to enter reservations on treaty documents is integral to the international human rights system. It serves as a tool for encouraging states to ratify treaty documents with the assurance that they can maintain and protect their sovereignty. However, this flexibility comes with significant drawbacks (http://apo-opa.co/4eRclSf) to human rights as a whole.

The Maputo Protocol is a legally binding treaty that seeks to “ensure that the rights of women are promoted, realised and protected (http://apo-opa.co/4llpy8c) in order to enable them to fully enjoy all their human rights.” When states enter reservations, they effectively lower the minimum human rights standards established by the Protocol within their jurisdictions, undermining its overall impact. As a result, reservations have hindered, both legally and in practice, the treaty’s ability to comprehensively improve the lives of women and girls in the affected countries.

For example, Uganda’s reservations to Article 14(1)(a), which calls for adequate, affordable and accessible health services, and Article 14(2)(c), focusing on protecting women’s reproductive rights, has significantly limited women’s reproductive autonomy and has contribute to high rates of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions, particularly among survivors of rape and incest.

In Kenya, the reservation to Article 14(2)(c) contradicts its own Constitution and contributes to at least 2,600 maternal deaths annually from unsafe abortions. Kenya has also opted out of commitments under Article 10(3), which calls on States Parties to take necessary measures to reduce military expenditure, resulting in lower investment for essential maternal healthcare and social development.

Mauritius’s reservation on Article 14(2)(c) has prevented the provision of comprehensive reproductive healthcare. While allowing abortion under limited circumstances, imposing police reporting requirements and a 14-week limit leaves many women and girls without viable options.

State reservations of the Maputo Protocol are failing families and women

Countries’ reservations to Article 6, which relates to marriage, enable marriage inequality and child marriage. For example, Ethiopia and South Africa’s reservations permit unregistered marriages, exposing women to increased risk of child marriage and denying them legal protections in marital disputes.

Namibia’s failure to recognise customary marriages means women in such unions lack legal safeguards in divorce or inheritance, a situation unaddressed even in its new Marriage Act of 2024.

In Algeria, the state’s reservation allows for exceptions to the legal minimum age of marriage, enabling child marriage to persist under civil and customary law. Reservations on Article 7 – governing separation, divorce and annulment of marriage – restrict women’s ability to seek divorce unless they meet specific conditions. Even in no-fault cases, women must pay a cash settlement to their husbands.

Meanwhile, Algeria’s reservations against Article 14, which outlines reproductive rights, have also fostered conditions that perpetuate child marriage, obstruct women’s access to divorce, and deny rape survivors access to safe abortion.

Reservations to Article 7 in Ethiopia enable non-judicial separations, with couples informally separating without going to court. This undermines legal oversight and often results in unfair property settlements and loss of child custody for women.

Ethiopia’s reservation to Article 21 on inheritance limits widows’ rights as the state requires them to be explicitly named in a will, leaving many economically vulnerable. In the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), reservations block widows’ rights to protection from degrading treatment and undermine their custodial and remarriage rights, reinforcing patriarchal control and exclusion.

The SADR has issued multiple sweeping reservations, including on integrating gender perspectives in national policy, ensuring equality in family law, and protecting widows’ rights. These undermine not only legal reforms but the broader societal shifts required for gender equality. Restrictions on reproductive rights further compound the oppression of women in this territory.

Calling on governments to withdraw reservations against the Maputo Protocol

The adoption in March 2025 of Resolution 632 (LXXXII) 2025 on the Need to Raise Awareness for States to Withdraw Reservations on Some Provisions of the Maputo Protocol (http://apo-opa.co/4eS4zrg) by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a welcome move as this resolution will help develop a framework to guide African Union Member States on lifting reservations in collaboration with stakeholders, including Equality Now.

In the face of growing resistance to gender equality and mounting efforts to erode women’s rights across Africa and globally, the Maputo Protocol stands as a robust legal framework to safeguard hard-won gains and push for further progress. However, the Protocol’s transformative potential can only be fulfilled if states withdraw the reservations that dilute its protections. These carve-outs deny millions of women and girls access to justice, safety, autonomy, and equality.

It is imperative that all stakeholders stand together to resist the growing anti-gender backlash and hold the line in defence of equality and justice for all. Women’s human rights are not negotiable. They are inalienable, indivisible, interdependent, and universal.

At this pivotal moment, African governments must uphold all their legal and moral obligations under the Protocol and collaborate meaningfully with civil society to ensure that every woman and girl in Africa can live with dignity, free from violence, discrimination, and inequality.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now.

For media enquiries, contact:
Michelle Tuva,
Regional Communications Officer, Africa,
mtuva@equalitynow.org  

Tara Carey,
Global Head of Media,
Equality Now,
Tcarey@equalitynow.org,
T. +44 (0)7971556340 (available on WhatsApp and Signal)

Social Media:
Bluesky: http://apo-opa.co/44DSZwB 
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/3Gq3MkG 
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/4luKTMH 
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/44vye69 

About Equality Now:
Equality Now (www.EqualityNow.org) is a worldwide human rights organisation dedicated to securing the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination against all women and girls. Since its inception in 1992, it has played a role in reforming 120 discriminatory laws globally, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of millions of women and girls, their communities and nations, both now and for generations to come.

Working with partners at national, regional and global levels, Equality Now draws on deep legal expertise and a diverse range of social, political and cultural perspectives to continue to lead the way in steering, shaping and driving the change needed to achieve enduring gender equality, to the benefit of all.

For more details, go to www.EqualityNow.org

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President Ramaphosa offers condolences on the passing of former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari

Source: President of South Africa –

On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the Government and nation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following the passing of Former President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Ramaphosa’s thoughts are primarily with the family of Former President Buhari who has passed away at the age of 82.

President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends, former colleagues and associates of the late President Buhari, who led the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2015 to 2018.

President Ramaphosa said: “As South Africa, we stand with the nation of Nigeria in your mourning.

“President Buhari led Nigeria as a patriot and a champion not only of the best attributes of his nation during his leadership, but of the future that awaited his great country.

“I had the privilege of working closely with President Buhari on building relations between our country and sharing numerous reciprocal visits – including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These engagements were dedicated to intensifying cooperation in areas such as arts and culture, education, agriculture, trade and investment, mining, defence, immigration and science and technology.

“President Buhari’s leadership brought our two nations closer together and as we did so, this partnership contributed to Africa’s collective growth and development.

“This is a legacy on which we will continue to build.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Mkhwanazi allegations: What the judicial commission of inquiry will probe

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined the scope of a judicial commission of inquiry that will focus on investigating “allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates”.

The commission will be chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

The President made the announcement during an address to the nation on Sunday evening.

The establishment of the commission is related to serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

“Among the allegations that the commission may investigate are the facilitation of organised crime; suppression or manipulation of investigations; inducement into criminal actions by law enforcement leadership; commission of any other criminal offences and intimidation, victimisation or targeted removal of whistleblowers or officials resisting criminal influence.

“The commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity; failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings; or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate’s operations.

“These institutions are the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, the Judiciary and Magistracy, and the metropolitan police departments of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane,” he said.

Furthermore, the commission will also investigate if any National Executive members “responsible for the criminal justice system, were complicit, aided and abetted, or participated in the acts mentioned above”.

“The commission will be asked to report on the effectiveness or failure of oversight mechanisms, and the adequacy of current legislation, policies and institutional arrangements in preventing such infiltration. It will make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform.

“Once established, the commission shall consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies.

“Where appropriate, the commission must make recommendations on the employment status of such officials, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations,” President Ramaphosa explained.

The commission will submit interim reports after three and six months.

“The commission will have the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the commission will uncover.

“It is critical that these matters be attended to with the necessary urgency and thoroughness. 

“The commission is expected to complete its work and submit a final report to the President. The final report of the commission will be sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice,” he said.

The President noted that the commission’s establishment comes as the country is making progress in the rebuilding and strengthening of law enforcement agencies and security services.

“In recent years, the South African Police Service, the Special Investigating Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other bodies have been making important inroads in the fight against organised crime and corruption. It is essential that we maintain this momentum and that we intensify this work.

“We will ensure that the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies continue to function without hindrance as the commission undertakes its work. I call on all members of our law enforcement agencies and security services to remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law and adhering to their code of conduct.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that the establishment of the commission is a testament to “our commitment to the rule of law, transparency and accountability”.

“I call on all South Africans to support the commission in its work and, where appropriate, to provide any information or assistance the commission may require.

“In establishing this commission of inquiry, we are affirming our commitment to the rule of law, transparency and accountability, and to building a South Africa in which all people are safe and secure,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Police Minister Mchunu placed on leave of absence

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence with immediate effect.

The President has also announced a judicial commission of inquiry – led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga – into the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The President made the announcements during an address to the nation on Sunday evening.

During a media briefing last week, Mkhwanazi made several allegations about an alleged criminal syndicate that has “spread its tentacles into law enforcement and intelligence services”.

Mkhwanazi also made allegations against the Police Minister – alleging that Mchunu colluded with criminal elements to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal.

During the address to the nation, the President emphasised that the allegations “call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation”.

“To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I am establishing a judicial commission of Inquiry, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Justice Madlanga will be assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.

“In order for the Commission to execute its functions effectively, I have decided to put the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, on a leave of absence with immediate effect. The Minister has undertaken to give his full cooperation to the Commission to enable it to do its work,” President Ramaphosa said.

Mkhwanazi had also made allegations about the uncovering of a drug cartel, implicating, amongst others, the judiciary, law enforcement, prosecutors and politicians.

The President said these allegations “raise serious concerns around the Constitution, the rule of law and national security”.

“These allegations, if proven true, threaten to undermine the confidence of South Africans in the ability of the South African Police Service to protect them and to effectively fight crime and corruption.

“South Africans are concerned about corruption and the rise of criminality in our country, which manifests itself in the killing of innocent people, gender-based violence, gang violence, kidnappings, construction mafia criminality and many others.

“As we intensify the fight against crime, it is vital that we safeguard the integrity and credibility of the police and other law enforcement agencies,” President Ramaphosa said.

With the Police Minister now on a leave of absence, Professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed as acting Minister  in terms of Section 91(3)(c) of the Constitution.

“Professor Cachalia is currently a professor of law at the University of the Witwatersrand and is the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council. He previously served as a MEC of Community Safety in Gauteng.

“Professor Cachalia will be retiring from his current position at the University of Witwatersrand at the end of July. I will appoint an Acting Minister from within Cabinet until Professor Cachalia takes up his post at the beginning of August,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Ramaphosa to brief the nation on national security matters at 19h30

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tonight, 13 July 2025, address the nation on developments arising from a public statement by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, that details allegations against senior political and South African Police Service (SAPS) leadership.

President Ramaphosa has been seized with this matter in recent days and will, following various consultations, take the nation into his confidence at 19h30 on Sunday, 13 July 2025.

The SABC will provide pool feed for the address.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into allegations regarding law enforcement agencies, Union Buildings, Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

My Fellow South Africans,

I address you this evening on a matter that concerns the security of our country, the integrity of our law enforcement agencies and the safety of our people.

Last Sunday, the 6th of July 2025, Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service, held a media briefing in which he made public serious allegations about the existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures in South Africa.

Lt Gen Mkhwanazi alleged that the Minister of Police allegedly interfered with sensitive police investigations and colluded with business people, including a murder accused, to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal. 

Lt Gen Mkhwanazi also said that a police investigation by the task team in Gauteng unmasked a syndicate controlled by a drug cartel, which involves politicians, law enforcement officials from the SAPS, metro police and correctional services, prosecutors and the judiciary, as well as business people.

The allegations made in this media briefing raise serious concerns around the constitution, the rule of law and national security.

These allegations, if proven true, threaten to undermine the confidence of South Africans in the ability of the South African Police Service to protect them and to effectively fight crime and corruption.

South Africans are concerned about corruption and the rise of criminality in our country, which manifests itself in the killing of innocent people, gender-based violence, gang violence, kidnappings, construction mafia criminality and many others.

As we intensify the fight against crime, it is vital that we safeguard the integrity and credibility of the police and other law enforcement agencies.

These allegations therefore call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation.

To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I am establishing a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. 

Justice Madlanga will be assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.

The Commission will investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates.

Among the allegations that the Commission may investigate are the facilitation of organised crime; suppression or manipulation of investigations; inducement into criminal actions by law enforcement leadership; commission of any other criminal offences and intimidation, victimisation or targeted removal of whistleblowers or officials resisting criminal influence.

The Commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity; failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings; or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate’s operations.

These institutions are the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, the Judiciary and Magistracy, and the metropolitan police departments of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.

The Commission will also investigate whether any members of the National Executive responsible for the criminal justice system, were complicit, aided and abetted, or participated in the acts mentioned above.

The Commission will be asked to report on the effectiveness or failure of oversight mechanisms, and the adequacy of current legislation, policies and institutional arrangements in preventing such infiltration.

It will make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform.

Once established, the Commission shall consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies.

Where appropriate, the Commission must make recommendations on the employment status of such officials, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations.

The Commission will have the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover.

It is critical that these matters be attended to with the necessary urgency and thoroughness.

The Commission is expected to complete its work and submit a final report to the President.

Interim reports are expected after 3 and 6 months respectively.

The final report of the Commission will be sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice.

Acting Deputy Chief Justice Madlanga is retiring from the Constitutional Court at the end of July 2025 after years of distinguished service, and will therefore be able to give his full time and attention to the work of this commission.

In order for the Commission to execute its functions effectively, I have decided to put the Minister of Police Mr Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence with immediate effect.

The Minister has undertaken to give his full cooperation to the Commission to enable it to do its work.

I have decided to appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police.

Professor Cachalia is currently a professor of law at the University of the Witwatersrand and is the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council. He previously served as an MEC of Community Safety in Gauteng.

I am appointing Prof Cachalia in terms of Section 91(3)(c) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to select no more than two Ministers from outside the National Assembly. 

Professor Cachalia will be retiring from his current position at the University of Witwatersrand at the end of July.

I will appoint an Acting Minister from within Cabinet until Professor Cachalia takes up his post at the beginning of August.

This Commission is being established against the backdrop of significant progress in rebuilding and strengthening our country’s law enforcement agencies and security services. 

In recent years, the South African Police Service, the Special Investigating Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other bodies have been making important inroads in the fight against organised crime and corruption.

It is essential that we maintain this momentum and that we intensify this work.

We will ensure that the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies continue to function without hindrance as the commission undertakes its work. 

I call on all members of our law enforcement agencies and security services to remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law and adhering to their code of conduct.

I call on all South Africans to support the commission in its work and, where appropriate, to provide any information or assistance the commission may require.

In establishing this Commission of Inquiry, we are affirming our commitment to the rule of law, to transparency and accountability, and to building a South Africa in which all people are safe and secure.

I thank you.