SAPS saga: Academic urges Ramaphosa to act against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu or ANC will suffer

Renowned criminologist, Prof Kholofelo Rakubu who is the head of Department at Tshwane University of Technology’s merged Department of Law, Safety and Security Management, has saluted KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi after he made damning allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and deputy national police commissioner, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya.

In an interview with IOL, Rakubu said Mkhwanazi has shown an unprecedented degree of courage in taking South Africans into his confidence over the shenanigans bedeviling SAPS, affecting service delivery at the grassroots level.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa will be coming back (from the BRICS Summit in Brazil), he should make sure that he protects South Africans, and he cuts all these lines. Should he not, the African National Congress is going to suffer dismally. It is going to suffer tremendously. Their backs are against the wall now,” said the academic.

“What Mkhwanazi has done is commendable. Should the chain of command and the chain of communication be broken to this extent, by political infiltration, one has no option but to use platforms like what Mkhwanazi did.”

She said after Mkhwanazi’s press briefing, which stirred the hornet’s nest, South Africans should expect much more propaganda targeted at the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police boss.

“As an example, an issue is being made about the uniform he was wearing. He has previously worn that uniform before, tackling crime. There were no questions raised at that time. Now what is happening now is just politicking. We can expect more propaganda against Mkhwanazi because that is how the crux of politics in South Africa operates. There are going to be scandals and scandals to shake South Africans. We should anticipate that at this stage,” said Rakubu.

She added that the ructions at the top echelons of the SAPS affect service delivery in the whole chain of policing, up to the police station in a community. She pointed out that morale is remarkably low among police officers, and the recent revelations might further dampen the mood.

“I am sure there are certain officers who do not even bother with arrests, chasing criminals or doing investigations because they understand all these dynamics and political infiltration within SAPS, and the magnitude of corruption. They will not even waste their resources,” said Rakubu.

Earlier on Monday, IOL reported that the ongoing ruckus within the South African Police Service is set to take another twist when national commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, announces the appointment of an acting divisional commissioner for the crime intelligence unit.

Several high-ranking police officers, including the national head of crime intelligence, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, were recently arrested and appeared in a Pretoria court. 

Khumalo and the other six top cops – crime intelligence chief financial officer (CFO) Philani Lushaba, crime intelligence technical support system manager Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, Gauteng crime intelligence boss Major General Josias Lekalakala, head of the analysis centre Major General Nosipho Precious Madondo, Major General Zwelithini Gabela of the police’s technology services, and head of the vetting office Brigadier Phindile Ncube – all appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court last month.

Following an explosive weekend where Mkhwanazi's briefing attracted widespread reactions, on Monday morning, the SAPS said normal day-to-day policing operations are continuing across the country.

Apart from the announcement of the acting divisional commissioner for crime intelligence, Masemola is expected to update the media on ongoing police operations that are underway, aimed at preventing and combating crime in the country. 

"The General assures the nation that daily crime combatting operations and normal day-to-day policing at stations and other SAPS service points continues," said SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

"The mandate and work of the police, which is to prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, and to uphold and enforce the law is not affected in any way. The men and women in blue remain hard at work at every corner of this country to serve and protect all people living in South Africa."

Mathe said "other issues that are currently in the public domain" will also be discussed when Masemola addresses the media on the unspecified day. 

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