Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has denied allegations of political interference in the work of the SA Police Services.
This comes after KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive and damning allegations during a press conference on Sunday, fingering Mchunu and the Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya.
Mchunu said Mkhwanazi’s allegations were baseless and without evidence, despite the fact that Mkhwanazi issued a long explanation and chronology of events to support his claims. has packaged a comprehensive 20-minute video detailing nine explosive claims made by the KZN top cop. These can be viewed in the below.
This comes after Mkhwanazi on Sunday accused Mchunu of interfering in police operations, including disbanding a specialised task team investigating political killings, delaying key Crime Intelligence appointments, and shielding politically connected suspects involved in organised crime.
In a statement issued to the media, Mchunu said in his capacity as member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress, he has been on the campaign trail this weekend in Vryheid, KZN, ahead of the by-elections on the 16th of July.
“Whilst still busy with these engagements, I was made aware of today’s media briefing called by Mkhwanazi, making a number of wild allegations and claims on a variety of issues”, Mchunu said.
The minister added that he will never allow his integrity, that of the Ministry or the SAPS at large to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due processes, from anyone, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.
“We will be reviewing the Provincial Commissioner’s statements and considering appropriate action.
@iolnews 🚨CAUTIOUS RESPONSE🚨Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has cautiously responded to Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive allegations, accusations and press briefing. .co.za
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“All these statements made by him in public require an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation, on a proper platform”.
Mchunu further said that he was committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability within the SAPS.
“I remain committed to the task at hand, and that is to reduce the high murder rate, reduce high availability of illegal firearms, tackle drug trafficking and syndicates and GBV+F throughout the country, with a specific focus on the four provinces with high levels of crime, namely: KZN, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape”.
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