Zuma should place David Mahlobo on special leave to ensure proper investigation

14 November 2016

The DA calls on President Jacob Zuma to place the Minister of State Security, David Mahlobo, on special leave pending a full and proper investigation into his relationship with self-confessed criminal, Guan Jiang Guang.

Mahlobo’s association with Guang was exposed in a documentary on rhino poaching aired by the Al Jazeera news channel on 13 November, as well as additional reporting by local news media. In it, Guang claims that Mahlobo visited his home.

Clearly, Mahlobo cannot continue in his current position and must be put on special leave to avoid manipulation of this crucial investigation.

It is grossly inappropriate that someone privy to information on and tasked with combatting organised crime finds himself associating with suspected members of Chinese organised crime syndicates.

The dwindling integrity of our intelligence services is at stake and we call on the President to show decisive leadership in removing Mahlobo until such time as his relationship with Guang is thoroughly probed.

Issued by John Steenhuisen, DA Chief Whip, 14 November 2016