Polly Boshielo: ‘I can’t lie, morale is low’ as SAPS faces leadership shake-up
Police deputy minister, Polly Boshielo, said the morale is low after Minister Senzo Mchunu was put on special leave.
Image: SAPS
Despite explaining why she can't act as the Police Minister, Polly Boshielo said motivation and a positive attitude at work are low, especially now that Minister Senzo Mchunu is on special leave.
The appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia by President Cyril Ramaphosa as acting minister has been met with mixed emotions.
This comes after allegations by KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of colluding with criminals.
In an interview with SA FM, Boshielo said they were waiting for Cachalia to report to the office so that work could commence.
"Yes, we have spoken to our staff to say that not everything is out of hand, they must focus on work and help our people... I cannot lie to you, the morale is a little bit low because we worked very well with the minister.
"As you know, you would see us working together because we were showing each other how best we could turn the police service into a better institution," she said.
Sharing light on why Cachalia was put in Mchunu's seat, Boshielo said in terms of the law, the deputy minister can’t be appointed as acting minister unless there is a reshuffle.
"In terms of what is happening in the department, everything is going as normal," she stated.
In South Africa, deputy ministers are not eligible to be appointed as acting ministers due to constitutional and legal limitations. This position is clearly outlined in the Constitution.
According to Section 93, deputy ministers are appointed to assist ministers but do not possess executive authority independently.
When a minister is absent or the position becomes vacant, only a member of the cabinet may be appointed by the president to act in that role, in accordance with Section 98 of the Constitution.
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