DA's request for IPID probe into KZN Police Commissioner granted
13 February 2015
The DA welcomes the investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) into the controversial KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Mmamonnye Ngobeni. The DA is satisfied that the IPID will now deal with this matter with the due consideration it deserves.
Indeed, the DA had requested the IPID investigate suspected misconduct on her part, sending them copies of receipts allegedly signed by Mr Panday for the R20 000 party.
This comes after reports this afternoon confirming that the IPID has launched an investigation into Provincial Commissioner Ngobeni for suspected corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
The DA send evidence in the form of receipts allegedly signed by Mr Panday and uncovered by a journalist at The Witness newspaper, to the IPID.
In 2010 a police investigation was opened into a R60-m tender scam, centred around Umhlanga businessman and business partner of Zuma's son, Thoshan Panday. The KZN Commissioner attempted to shut the investigation down Just four days after the investigation was launched, Provincial Police Commissioner Ngobeni put a stop to it. Three weeks later, Ngobeni's husband held a 40-guest R20 000 birthday party, allegedly paid for by Mr Panday.
When the KZN Head of the Hawks Johan Booysen took on the investigation into suspected wrongdoing he was summarily suspended, and fought for for two and half years to clear his name of a host of charges. He has only recently returned to work.
It would appear that the Provincial Police Commissioner could not be trusted to investigate without fear or favour, given her links to Mr Panday. Now that the investigation has been re-opened, Commissioner Ngobeni should be suspended immediately, before she is given any opportunity to use her position to obstruct the investigation.
National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, must now show leadership and suspend Ngobeni to protect the integrity of IPID's work in this regard.
Text of the letter:
October 2014
IPID Director
Mr Robert McBride
Private Bag X941
Pretoria
0001
Dear Mr McBride,
I am writing to you requesting you launch an urgent investigation into the conduct of the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Ngobeni.
As it seems there is now proof that Ngobeni's husband's party was paid for by Panday.
It is quite obvious that she stood with Panday in the drive to discredit Major-General Johan Booysen and the rest of the entire Cato Manor Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, while there were not one but two criminal cases against him, because of her close personal relationship with him.
I am confident you appreciate the gravity of these allegations and that my request will receive due and timeous consideration.
Regards,
Dianne Kohler Barnard MP
DA Shadow Minister of Police
(sent electronically and without signature)
Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, February 15 2015
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