Minister Mthethwa assures South Africa that fighting crime continues
25 Oct 2011
Minister Mthethwa urges Acting Police Commissioner and management to ignore negative commentary keep focus on criminals, nothing else.
The fight against crime will continue, police must keep their eyes firmly on the trail of criminals and the South African Police Service (SAPS) will continue to function as efficiently and expeditiously as it is expected to.
This is an undertaking and an assurance given by the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa today following his meeting with the newly-appointed Acting National Commissioner of Police, Major-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and the senior management of the SAPS in Pretoria.
This follows yesterday's announcement by President Jacob Zuma of the suspension of General Bheki Cele pending a board of inquiry and the subsequent appointment of Acting Commissioner, General Mkhwanazi. Post the announcement, various so-called security experts and analysts have questioned General Mkhwanazi's credentials and fitness to hold office; and in some instances, faceless senior SAPS management have been quoted in certain newspapers.
"I met with General Mkhwanazi and the senior management of the department earlier with one clear message: that the fight against crime must and will continue. As the police leadership and management we will not be distracted by some negative comments and I have asked this team to keep their eyes firmly focused on the challenge that lies ahead, which is to ensure that we keep South Africans safe, nothing else."
Minister Mthethwa said it is unfortunate that whilst General Mkhwanazi had yet to spend a day in office, there were already some who began peddling negative remarks, around his seniority, experience and age. "This is a tried-and-tested cop. The fact of the matter is that we are not talking about a junior constable here. General Mkhwanazi has grown through the SAPS ranks having excellently distinguished himself in various key components including the National Intervention Unit, Air Wing, Public Order Policing to mention but a few. So he is not a mafikizolo (newcomer)."
"The very same people who are questioning his credentials would in any way, have moaned had the President appointed someone who was outside the SAPS ranks that is for sure. I have urged him to remain focused on the tasks ahead; as he steers this SAPS ship with diligence. I remain confident that together with his colleagues, they will rise to the occasion," stated the Minister.
Minister Mthethwa reiterated his unequivocal support to the entire SAPS management assuring them that he will continue to interact with them, anytime, anywhere on any issue. He also urged all law-abiding South Africans to continue to support the management and police in the fight against crime as they had been doing.
Statement issued by Zweli Mnisi, Ministry of Police, October 25 2011
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