Ramaphosa urged to make the allegations against Mchunu his top priority upon return from Brazil

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been urged to make the allegations lobbied against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi his top priority when he returns to the country.

The issue of Mkhwanazi’s allegations took centre stage at the Peace and Security Cluster Committee Chairpersons' briefing on Monday 

Mkhwanazi made damning allegations against his colleagues and politicians, including Mchunu, whom he alleged were part of serious crime cartels in Gauteng.

In a statement, Mchunu rejected Mkhwanazi’s "wild allegations and claims on a variety of issues".

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, said that the allegations have placed the necessary focus on the integrity of not only the South African Police Service (SAPS) but the entire criminal justice system. 

“If true, it explains why the system has not been able to effectively arrest the ever-increasing criminality in the country.”

Cameron added that the allegations point to a systematic weakening of the police to enable corruption and undermining of the rule of law. He also urged the President to implement an intensive investigation into the corruption allegations at SAPS to protect and promote the credibility of the service. 

“The committee welcomes the assurance that the President will give the matter due regard upon his return from Brazil (Ramaphosa is attending the BRICS Summit) but has urged that this matter be priority number one.”

Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Jane Mananiso, said: “With regarding the allegations made yesterday, for us as the select committee, it is a grave concern; however, we hope that the President will swiftly respond to that issue as soon as he comes back. All of us do believe that lawlessness in the sector must be dealt with.”

Cameron later said that the revelation has given credence to the call by the committee for an extensive skills and lifestyle audit, starting with all senior management within the SAPS and the Crime Intelligence environment.

“What is clear is that accountability is necessary and urgent….We cannot continue one more day with criminals masquerading as police officers.”

He said the committee will have to determine the need for an urgent meeting where all the protagonists are called to account. He has also written to the Speaker of the National Assembly for an urgent debate on the integrity of SAPS, and the implications of the revelations on the credibility and standing of SAPS in the fight against crime.

The committee is also proposing the following immediate solutions to the integrity challenges within the SAPS:

• Appointment of a commission, with a clear timeline, to urgently investigate the allegations 
• An external independent body to undertake lifestyle audits for all senior officers from Brigadier level upwards 
• An independent body to undertake a vetting exercise on all senior SAPS officers 
• Reconfiguration of the Crime Intelligence environment to ensure only fit and proper individuals are employed in that environment 
• Skills audit of all senior managers within the SAPS
• Adequate resourcing of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate

Cameron later added that the reason the allegations are concerning is that it could mean that the higher echelons of police are totally captured.

“Should the minister be suspended? Well, let’s look at it from a policing point of view. If a police member has in any way allegedly performed some kind of misconduct, there's usually suspension.  

“Many people always explain it as though it's punitive to that police member, but that's not the reasoning behind it. The reasoning is to protect the integrity of the institution, one, and two, the investigation. 

“Now, if any preliminary investigation indicates any form of political influence, from anywhere in the ministry, suspension should be considered, and that is to protect the integrity of the institution, and the integrity of the investigation.”

Executive director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, Christo van der Rheede, said that these allegations are very serious and pose a threat to maintaining law and order in the country.

“One would expect the president to act. Just as swiftly as what he acted with (removing) Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, Andrew Whitfield, he must act also against Minister Senzo Mchunu.

“All that we ask is consistency, and that no stone should be left unturned. Things are really getting out of hand.”

He added that the South African political ecosystem no longer focuses on realising the objectives outlined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, but has now become a space fraught with identity politics, clientelism and egocentric contestations over the spoils of public office.

“Our constitutional democratic order provides the solution. To ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness, ordinary citizens must use their voting power to vote for credible political parties and leaders that serve the country’s interests.”

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