The Democratic Alliance (DA) says while yesterday’s media briefing by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was not expected, the party is not surprised by allegations levelled against the police minister and some senior police officials.
Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of being in contact with people linked to criminal activities.
He also accused some senior police officials of being involved in corruption.
Mchunu has since dismissed the allegations as baseless.
DA Spokesperson on Police, Ian Cameron, says the party is not surprised.
“Over the past years, we’ve asked and questioned so many cases of significant corruption, significant transgression, criminal activities, strange appointments, promotions that simply do not make sense of people that are certainly not be on reproach and we never get a substantial answer. So, it has become very frustrating and therefore even yesterday was a shocking moment because of the way that it was done. To be honest, we not very surprised by the allegations but for now that is what they remain, allegations. We need to see what the criminal investigation process brings up next.”
Mkhwanazi makes explosive allegations against police force:
ANC calls for investigation
African National Congress National Organiser, Mduduzi Manana, says the allegations levelled against Mchunu must be investigated by authorities.
Manana says the NEC cannot discuss this matter as it remains allegations.
“Well at this point it doesn’t warrant a discussion in the NEC – it is an allegation. Comrade Senzo has not been charged. I’m certain it would be a process to investigate the matter, and the president would take whatever action…now that he has come forth, he has made allegations, (we) would then leave it to authorities to conduct an investigation. The ANC will certainly support whatever process has established by government.”
“There must be a reason behind the allegations”
Meanwhile, independent crime analyst Chris De Kock has emphasised that there must be a reason behind the allegations.
De Kock says Mkhwanazi would not jeopardise his position without significant justification.
“Maybe it’s not the way that a police officer or an organisation should behave, maybe he should have handled differently. But I think at certain a point, the frustration is very high, and he may just feel that that is the only way he could have behaved.”
PODCAST | Police Minister dismisses allegations as baseless:
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