Parliament’s police oversight committee expects acting national police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to explain the saga concerning former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli at a meeting next week.
Committee chairwoman Sindi Chikunga voiced deep concern during a meeting on Tuesday over the “chaotic” situation and “shenanigans” in the police service. She said the department would be invited to brief the committee, probably next Wednesday, and was considering asking Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to attend.
“Seated here, we are not very sure whether we have a united management in the police,” Chikunga told MPs.
“Some of us who visit police stations have the hope that at least police stations are still doing their work.”
Mdluli is challenging his suspension from the SAPS for a third time. His case is to be heard in the Labour Court later this month. In addition, judgment will be delivered on Thursday afternoon in the urgent application by Freedom Under Law to stop Mdluli from performing his duties for the time being. This is linked to fraud, corruption and nepotism allegations.
Chikunga said Mdluli had been suspended and then the decision had been reversed, leading to a “seriously worrying” situation. A further concern, she said, were rumours of the suspension of other senior SAPS members and of “some senior managers resigning and citing reasons for resignations that are only worrying”.
Chikunga said the constitution demanded an apolitical police force. “When there are issues that are suggesting we might have police that are pushing a political agenda, that is frightening to say the least.”
DA spokeswoman Dianne Kohler Barnard was sceptical when asked if she thought the committee would get to the bottom of the SAPS matter.
Political Bureau
