Allegations of criminal ties to politicians and top cops come as no surprise to South Africans

CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit is joined by UCT criminologist Dr Simon Howell to discuss the historic links between political figures, the state and the criminal underworld and gangs.

Listen below:

On Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi dropped a bombshell.

He accused top cops, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and the deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of being in cahoots with a criminal syndicate linked to the drug trade; and with questionable business people involved in organised crime.

Mkhwanazi says his suspicions have been confirmed by a letter from Mchunu to disband the KZN political killings task team in December.

He told a media briefing that the task team is focusing on the dark side of Gauteng’s criminal justice system, which prompted the approach from Mchunu.

Sibiya denies any links to criminal figures.

There is a history of the state and politicians having close links to gangs and criminal organisations, says Kiewit.

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"The lines between licit and illicit have always been quite blurry."

- Dr Simon Howell, criminologist - UCT

"There's always a certain element of concern around the way in which power has been constructed in this country, and the way criminal organisations... have managed to utilise those structures for their own gain."

- Dr Simon Howell, criminologist - UCT

Howell argues that there are very few structures in place to adequately deal with the 'embedded' nature of corruption and crime within the organs of the state.

While acknowledging the calls for a judicial enquiry into the criminal infiltration into SAPS and government, Howell questions whether such a process would serve a purpose.

"We've had many commissions of enquiry... have they been effective? Have they done anything?"

- Dr Simon Howell, criminologist - UCT

"It's not only about bringing information to light and bringing it into the public domain."

- Dr Simon Howell, criminologist - UCT

Howell says what's needed are structures and processes which can provide oversight and control.

"But also for those to be independent and effective in a manner that can't be influenced or otherwise corrupted."

- Dr Simon Howell, criminologist - UCT

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.

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