The police ministry has for the first time disclosed what taxpayers have paid to keep two police ministers on the payroll since Senzo Mchunu was placed on leave. The total is more than R6.1 million.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia gave the figures in a written parliamentary reply.
Until now, the cost had been based on media estimates. Cachalia’s own pay had not been made public. The reply confirms that he earns a full minister’s package.
MK Party MP Kwenzokuhle Madlala asked what it had cost to pay both ministers since Mchunu’s suspension.
The reply shows Mchunu has been paid R3,162,529.90 since 14 July 2025. Cachalia has been paid R3,024,834.58 since 1 August 2025. The combined bill to 31 August 2026 is R6,187,364.48.
That works out to about R232,000 a month for each minister.
President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on “special leave of absence” on 13 July 2025. Cachalia was appointed Acting Minister of Police from 1 August 2025.
Cachalia, a former Wits University law professor, was brought into Cabinet from outside Parliament.
The reply says ministers’ packages are set under section 4(1) of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act. It says the packages are published in the Government Gazette when adjusted.
Cabinet ministers received a 3.8% increase from April 2026. The reply covers only the ministers’ pay packages. It does not include the cost of staff, official residences, vehicles or VIP protection.
Mchunu was placed on leave after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that criminal syndicates had infiltrated the criminal justice system. Mkhwanazi also alleged that Mchunu had interfered in police investigations.
Ramaphosa set up the Madlanga Commission to investigate the claims. He said Mchunu’s future would be decided once the commission had finished its work.
The commission is still sitting. It has not made findings against Mchunu. Mchunu has also stepped aside from ANC party activities.
Last week, police searched Mchunu’s KwaZulu-Natal home and seized cellphones. KZN police spokesperson Brig Robert Netshiunda said the operation was part of a normal investigative process. It relates to cases including defeating the ends of justice and fraud. The cases were opened at Durban Central police station in 2025.
It was the second search at Mchunu’s home. The first took place in October 2025. He has not been charged.
The bill for both ministers continues to grow every month that Mchunu remains on leave.
