South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu, accused of shielding criminals from investigations.

Mr Ramaphosa announced the suspension of Mr Mchunu on Sunday, a week after lieutenant-general Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the provincial police commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, accused the minister and other senior officials of blocking investigations into political assassinations in the country.

“The allegations made in this media briefing raise serious concerns around the Constitution, the rule of law and national security,” Mr Ramaphosa said in a broadcast on Sunday.

The South African president ordered a panel to investigate the allegations and ensure all officials involved are duly prosecuted.

“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.

“It is critical that these matters be attended to with the necessary urgency and thoroughness,” Mr Ramaphosa said.

The suspension of the police minister over allegations of blocking investigations comes amid widespread criticism and a public call for an investigation into the matter.

Mr Mkhwanazi accused the police minister of disbanding a police unit investigating some politically motivated killings in the country to shield some politicians and police officers linked to the killings. He added that over 100 case files were retrieved from the disbanded police team investigating the political killings.

Mr Mchunu, a top member of the ANC party led by Mr Ramaphosa, has denied the allegations made by Mr. Mkhwanazi at a press conference, dismissing them as unfounded.