Earlier on Sunday KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi claimed that an attempted murder accused Vusumuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala had a R360 million ($20,33 million) contract with the police.
The Lieutenant General says there are WhatsApp messages between Matlala and Brown Mogotsi an associate of Mchunu. Mkhwanazi says Mogotsi in turn allegedly communicated with Mchunu about the disbandment the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team following a raid on Matlala’s house.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) Deputy President Nqabayomusi Kwankwa says the allegations are serious for a minister to remain in office.
“We are calling on the Minister to do us a favour, he can brief us fine but step aside and allow due process to allow the investigation to unfold if he doesn’t do that, the president will have to act, probably give him a precautionary suspension so that the investigation can unfold.”
uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) member of Parliament (MP) David Skosana says allegations against the minister are serious. Skosana says these allegations mean that Mchunu might have misled parliament in some instances.
“I would say as the MK party, I’m calling on the President to act swiftly and decisively on this matter. It’s imperative that the minister himself accounts, we were misled by the minister as the portfolio committee for him to not even give us reasons for the disbandment of the task team as General Mkhwanazi was saying here.”
African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president, Collen Malatjie says Mkhwanazi must arrest perpetrators of crime and stop being a pop star.
Malatjie says the role of the commissioner is to arrest criminals and if he wants to do politics he should join the branches of the ANC.
“We want the commissioner to act his role as commissioner of police and arrest those who do crime. If he wants to contest for positions, then he must come to the branches of the ANC and contest. But if he wants to continue with his role, he must arrest those who do crime. We don’t want statements, we want arrests. If the Minister of Police is doing crime he must be arrested, we are not a lawless country. I’m repeating again we don’t want a commissioner who is a pop star we want a commissioner that acts against crime he is doing very well, applauded by people and arresting criminals he must continue doing that work. We don’t want him to do press briefings.”
The Economic Freedom Party (EFF) has called for an urgent physical sitting of the Portfolio Committee on Police for a briefing from the Minister of Police relating to the allegations raised by Mkhwanazi.
The EFF’s Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo lauded Mkhwanazi for exposing the ring of corruption in the criminal justice system.
“The EFF salutes Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi for his bravery in standing up to this criminal cabal. His principled stance and commitment to the rule of law are commendable, especially in the face of a deliberate political smear campaign designed to undermine his leadership and isolate him within the SAPS. In response to these revelations, the EFF demands that the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, convene an urgent physical Portfolio Committee sitting for a briefing from the Minister of Police regarding the matters raised by Commissioner Mkhwanazi.”
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) says it has noted with shock and concern the very serious and wide ranging allegations levelled against Mchunu.
In a statement the party says, “The allegations of criminality, corruption, collusion and interference that have been made against the Police Minister question national security and shake public trust at its very core. The collective integrity of the South African Police Service has been alleged to be wholly compromised and the country has every reason to be worried, and demand answers.”
The IFP calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately appoint an Independent Commission of Inquiry, chaired by a retired judge, to investigate the allegations made by the KZN Provincial Police Commissioner and be given 60 days to perform its work, and present its findings and recommendations.
“The IFP further calls for Minister Mchunu to be placed on special leave until such time that the Independent Commission of Inquiry has concluded its work, and presented its findings. During this period Minister Mchunu should subject himself to the due investigative processes of the Commission.”
Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya says President Ramaphosa will attend to the statement made by KwaZulu-Natal police Commissioner.
Ramaphosa will be attending to as soon as possible on his return from the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, SA, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.) Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
--SABC
