Professor Firoz Cachalia is a prominent South African lawyer, academic and public servant whose life spans activism, provincial government leadership and recent national appointments.
Known for his anti-apartheid activism at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), his service in the Gauteng provincial government, and his later academic work and anti-corruption roles, Cachalia has become a household name in South African public life.
This full biography explores his early life, education, political and academic career, notable achievements, controversies and what his current role means for the country.
Profile Data
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Firoz Cachalia |
| Born | 22 July 1958 |
| Age | 67 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Benoni, Transvaal (now Gauteng), South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation | Lawyer, Academic, Politician, Public Servant |
| Parents | Father: Ismail Cachalia |
| Siblings | Brother: Azhar Cachalia |
| Religion | Islam (per one source, though not confirmed by primary public-records) |
If you like, I can also include known public-service roles, education credentials, and major life events (as extra fields).
Early life and education
Firoz Cachalia was born on 22 July 1958 in Benoni, in the former Transvaal (now Gauteng). He grew up during the height of apartheid and became involved in student and anti-apartheid activism while studying at Wits University. His early political activity included participation in the United Democratic Front and other liberation structures active in the 1970s and 1980s. These experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to human rights, constitutionalism and public service.
Cachalia holds several law degrees: a BA, BA (Hons), LLB, and a Higher Diploma in Company Law from Wits. He later undertook an LLM at the University of Michigan, where he completed the degree with distinction in 1996. His academic grounding has been central to his career as a legal scholar and public policy advisor.
Anti-apartheid activism and early legal career
During the 1980s and early 1990s, Cachalia was repeatedly detained and at times banned by apartheid authorities for his political activities. He also worked closely with community and civic organisations in the Transvaal and represented the Transvaal Indian Congress in negotiations during the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA). In the early post-apartheid years he combined legal practice and civic research roles, working in legal firms and research centres that shaped transitional justice and constitutional development.
Political career — Gauteng Provincial Government
After the end of apartheid, Cachalia entered formal politics and was elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 1994, representing the African National Congress (ANC). He served as Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature from 1999 to 2004 — a role that placed him at the centre of provincial governance during formative years for the province. In 2004 he was appointed to the Gauteng Executive Council as the MEC for Community Safety, a post he held until 2009. From May 2009 until November 2010 he served as MEC for Economic Development in Gauteng. His provincial roles gave him hands-on experience with policing, community safety policy and economic governance.
In November 2010 he was removed from the Gauteng Executive Council in a cabinet reshuffle. After leaving the provincial cabinet, Cachalia shifted his focus back to academia and civil society.
Academic career and public appointments
Following his provincial government service, Cachalia became a Professor of Law at the Wits School of Law, where he taught and wrote on constitutional law, governance and anti-corruption topics. He has been active in public debates and contributed research and commentary on South Africa’s legal and institutional challenges.
In July 2012 Cachalia was appointed as a non-executive director on the board of the South African Reserve Bank. In September 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him as Chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, a high-profile role focused on advising government responses to corruption and the fallout from the Zondo Commission.
Acting Minister of Police (2025)
In July 2025, in the wake of a political and policing crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Firoz Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police. The appointment followed the placement of the then-Minister of Police on special leave pending investigations. Cachalia’s blend of legal expertise, experience in community safety, and leadership on anti-corruption made him a choice that the presidency presented as intended to stabilise the ministry during a turbulent period. The appointment drew both support and criticism in political circles and civil society, with commentators debating the constitutional and political implications of appointing an acting minister from outside the sitting cabinet.
Civil society work and memberships
Cachalia has served on several boards and civic organisations, including the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and Corruption Watch, and has been involved in the Trust of former President Kgalema Motlanthe. His civil society engagements reflect an ongoing interest in governance, anti-corruption and transitional justice. At times, some of the organisations he worked with have been subject to controversy — though criticisms have mostly targeted associates or procedural shortcomings rather than Cachalia personally.
Notable achievements and strengths
- Legal scholarship: Established academic profile at Wits, with specialisation in constitutional and governance law.
- Public service: Served in senior provincial government roles tied to safety and economic development, plus national advisory appointments.
- Anti-corruption leadership: Chair of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, charged with providing strategic advice on preventing and combating state capture and graft.
Criticisms and controversies
While Cachalia personally has a long record in law and public administration, some associations and appointments have attracted scrutiny — particularly in a highly politicised environment where anti-corruption bodies and oversight organisations are constantly under pressure. Media and political opponents have raised questions about the optics of appointments and some civil society relationships; however, such critiques are part of normal public accountability in a democracy. Readers should weigh both his track record and the broader political context when forming an assessment.
What his appointment means for policing and governance
Cachalia’s appointment as Acting Minister of Police signalled the presidency’s intent to bring an experienced legal mind and anti-corruption advocate into a troubled portfolio. His prior experience as Gauteng MEC for Community Safety gives him institutional familiarity with policing issues at the provincial level, while his work on anti-corruption provides a thematic fit with national priorities around investigations, accountability and restoring public trust. How successful he will be depends on political support, resources for SAPS, and the ability to implement reforms that reach precincts and communities.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: When and where was Firoz Cachalia born?
A: He was born on 22 July 1958 in Benoni, in the former Transvaal (now Gauteng), South Africa.
Q: What are Cachalia’s academic qualifications?
A: Cachalia holds a BA, BA (Hons), LLB and a Higher Diploma in Company Law from the University of the Witwatersrand, and an LLM from the University of Michigan.
Q: What roles has he held in government?
A: He served as Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (1999–2004), as MEC for Community Safety (2004–2009) and MEC for Economic Development (2009–2010), among other roles. In 2025 he was appointed Acting Minister of Police.
Q: What civil society and advisory roles has he done?
A: He has been involved with the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Corruption Watch, the Trust of Kgalema Motlanthe and was appointed Chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council in 2022.
Q: Is Cachalia a member of any political party?
A: He has been associated with the African National Congress (ANC) and has served in ANC political structures.
Conclusion
Firoz Cachalia’s life is a portrait of South Africa’s modern transition: from student activism under apartheid to roles in provincial governance, legal scholarship and national anti-corruption efforts. His appointment as Acting Minister of Police placed him at the centre of one of the country’s most sensitive portfolios during a period of scrutiny and reform. Whether his tenure will deliver lasting reforms depends on many factors — political will, institutional reform, resources, and cooperation across government and civil society. Still, his blend of legal acumen, public-sector experience and anti-corruption focus makes him a notable figure in contemporary South African public life.