Parliament to investigate KZN Police Commissioner Mkhwanazi’s explosive claims, but no debate yet
Three committees will probe allegations involving top police officials, a move crime expert Willem Els supports.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in his office at the provincial operations building in Durban. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
702 and CapeTalk's Africa Melane speaks to crime expert Willem Els.
Listen below:
Three parliamentary committees will probe allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of corruption within the police service and police ministry.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has announced that the committees of police, justice and intelligence are to jointly investigate the allegations that also involve Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Didiza is not heeding a request from two political parties to debate the matter.
Els says this is the right move.
"As long as it is not done to delay the process and to buy time."
- Willem Els, crime expert
He suggests, however, that there may be an issue with how the committees are composed.
"Many of these people who may sit on these committees may have been implicated by General Mkhwanazi."
- Willem Els, crime expert
ALSO READ: What now for SAPS after Mkhwanazi drops bombshells?
On Sunday, flanked by an armed security detail, Mkhwanazi made several explosive claims.
He labelled the police minister and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya, as key allies of a powerful organised criminal syndicate.
Mkhwanazi also claimed Mchunu’s move to disband the KZN political killings task team was aimed at protecting criminals and sabotaging police investigations.
Some have suggested that such serious allegations ought to be dealt with by a commission of inquiry.
"The ANC has got a history of appointing inquiries that can run for ages, and once you've got your recommendation from these inquiries, not much has been done."
- Willem Els, crime expert
"These claims need to be substantiated by an independent body. I think these committees will be followed up by an inquiry, by an independent body."
- Willem Els, crime expert
The national South African Police Service (SAPS) says Mkhwanazi has been receiving threats since his bombshell media briefing.
Officials said security at Mkhwanazi’s home has been beefed up.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.