New Police Minister: Nkosinathi Nhleko yet another Empty Suit?

27 May 2014

The DA fears the appointment of Nkosinathi Nhleko as Minister of Police is yet another glaring example that President Zuma is unwilling to make the hard decisions that are necessary to keep South Africans safe. 

Minister Nhleko has a history of abusing his powers to the benefit of President Zuma and his friends.

Additionally:

Minister Nhleko, as Regional Commissioner Correction Services KZN, advocated for the parole of President Zuma's then financial advisor and benefactor, Schabir Shaik on dubious medical grounds. 

The Minister was then redeployed as a Director-General in the Department of Labour where he was side-lined and an Acting-DG put in his place while an internal investigation was undertaken into tender fraud to the tune of R155-million.

Minister Nhleko was promoted to Minister of Police before the outcome of the investigation was made known. 

This is the calibre of person that President Zuma deems fit to head up an essential department in South Africa. 

By contrast, President Zuma and his Cabinet are well aware of their own security concerns when it comes to Nkandla and the erection of an additional wall at Bryntirion Estate in Pretoria. Unfortunately, there is no similar concern for the people of South Africa. 

In a country where violent crime has become a way of life, decisive executive action is imperative. The South African people are all too familiar with the "good" story as told by Nathi Mthethwa's tenure as Police Minister. 

It is indeed a day to mourn as Minister Nhleko leaves little hope for the countless South Africans who will become victims of crime over the next five years. The Zuma administration's penchant for appointing political loyalists with no policing experience is unlikely, once again, to lead to a transformation of the SAPS into a credible and professional organisation.

The DA in Parliament will do everything in its power to keep a watchful eye over Minister Nhleko in his new portfolio and to ensure that government will provide the resources, skills and support that are desperately needed to transform the SAPS into an effective crime-fighting unit. 

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, May 27 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter