SAPS is stable and functioning – Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says that most parts of SAPS are still functioning well despite allegations against top cops.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya addressed the media during a briefing on 16 October 2024. Picture: @PresidencyZA/X
702’s Bongani Bingwa speaks with Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
Listen below:
Public trust in the South African Police Service is low after KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made allegations of criminal interference.
President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted a national broadcast on Sunday, sharing his plans to address the allegations.
These include establishing a judicial commission of inquiry and placing Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on special leave.
Magwenya says Mchunu cannot run the ministry while the commission is ongoing, as he is the implicated party.
“If you like, you can call it a step aside, or you can reference it in another way. In essence, the inquiry must be allowed to go through without any suspicion or apprehension of potential interference."
- Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson
While on special leave, Mchunu will have no access to any cabinet meetings or minutes of those meetings.
Ramaphosa has appointed respected legal mind and ANC veteran Professor Firoz Cachalia as interim Police Minister.
RELATED: Ramaphosa briefing on SAPS corruption: Should the President have done more?
Magwenya adds that, while these allegations are concerning, SAPS is a huge organisation, many parts of which function well.
“We are not in a case where the entire organisation is destabilised and is not functioning.”
- Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson
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