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The police minister, Senzo Mchunu, has rejected “baseless” allegations of interference in criminal cases levelled against him by the KZN provincial commissioner of police Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
He was responding to allegations made at a media briefing on Sunday by Mkhwanazi, who questioned the dissolution of a task team he reportedly said was making great strides in the battle against organised crime.
Mkhwanazi said in March, the deputy national commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, “apparently acting on instructions from the minister”, took control of 121 case dockets linked to political killings.
He said this was done without the instructions of the national commissioner, nor himself, as provincial commissioner. Mkhwanazi said these dockets had been sitting at the head office since then without work being done on them.
The KZN commissioner also reportedly accused some MPs, metro police officers, correctional services officers, and police officers of being involved in organised crime.
In a statement on Sunday, Minister Mchunu said he was busy engaging with community groups when he was made aware of “wild allegations and claims on a variety of issues."
He said he would “never” allow his integrity, that of the ministry, or the SAPS at large to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due process, from anyone, including Mkhwanazi.
“We will be reviewing the Provincial Commissioner’s statements and will consider appropriate action.
“All these statements made by him in public require an urgent, thorough, and transparent investigation, on a proper platform,” Minister Mchunu said.
He said he remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability within the SAPS, and serving the people of South Africa with integrity.
