Sibiya dismisses interference claims by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

JOHANNESBURG - A top South African Police Service (SAPS) official has dismissed claims that he interfered with the high-profile task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), calling the allegations baseless.

Speaking to Eyewitness News, Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya, responded to accusations made by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a press briefing in Durban on Sunday.

Mkhwanazi claimed that Police Minister Senzo Nchunu and Sibiya had meddled in the work of the task team, including issuing letters to disband it, halt crime intelligence appointments, and withdraw case dockets to Sibiya’s office.

READ: Mkhwanazi alleges political involvement in cases being investigated by the police

He also accused Sibiya of lying and undermining investigations.

But Sibiya has denied the claims, saying that Mkhwanazi’s behaviour is not fitting for a senior police official.

"All these things that General Mkhwanazi said, they don't make sense and I don’t understand where it is taking that from and his not really behaving in a disciplinary manner in which it is expected of a senior police official like him.”