Criminologist upbeat about Senzo Mchunu as Minister of Police

SK

Sara-Jayne Makwala King

4 July 2024 | 6:10

Senzo Mchunu takes over from Bheki Cele, who served in the role since 2018.

Crime expert Dr Guy Lamb speaks to John Maytham about the important work that lies ahead for the new police minister.

Listen below.

Tackling violence in South Africa and restoring the public's faith in the police are the top priorities of new police minister Senzo Mchunu who spoke about his plans before being sworn into his new role this week.

Mchunu takes over the portfolio from Bheki Cele who served in the role since 2018.

Lamb says it was time for a new police minister, adding that Mchunu's capabilities and experience, including as premier of KwaZulu-Natal, lend themselves well to the position.

"He performed very well, and then as a minister performed exceptionally well."
- Dr Guy Lamb, Criminologist - Stellenbosch University

What are likely to be Mchunu's priorities in his new role?

"He made comments to the media saying he's very concerned about high levels of violence within South Africa, and I would be concerned if he didn't say that."
- Dr Guy Lamb, Criminologist - Stellenbosch University
"As the minister you've got to make the police do want you want them to do and sometimes that is quite difficult."
- Dr Guy Lamb, Criminologist - Stellenbosch University

Lamb says it's important to consider the limits of ministerial power and to ask what the minister can do in the context of policing.

"Minister Cele was very hands on, being a former National Police Commissioner himself, he often stepped out of his lane as minister to perform the functions, typically, the national commissioner would perform."
- Dr Guy Lamb, Criminologist - Stellenbosch University

Lamb says in doing so, Cele created confusion and undermined the national commissioner. He says it's important that Mchunu give the commissioner space to do his job.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.

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