Mdluli's back, but where has Minister Nathi Mthethwa gone?
Minister Nathi Mthethwa has been ominously silent on recent disturbing developments within the South African Police Service (SAPS) despite his responsibilities in terms of overall control and management of the police.
The lifting of Crime Intelligence Boss Richard Mdluli's suspension is but one incident in a growing list of revelations about the SAPS which is drawing the state of affairs within the police into question.
Other examples include:
- The continuing evictions and lockouts of police officers from their offices in at least four provinces, which are undermining police morale and service delivery and pose a severe threat to the security of some of the most vulnerable communities in South Africa.
- Questionable promotions in the South African Police Service (SAPS) as six of President Jacob Zuma's VIP bodyguards have been "irregularly" promoted to the top ranks of the police, with two of them jumping six ranks.
- Reports that suspended National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele signed off on a R26 million tender awarded to a businessman who allegedly showered top police officials with expensive gifts to approve the deal.
- The ongoing saga at the Police Crime Intelligence Unit, which has become a battleground for the ANC's factional political skirmishes in the run-up to the party's elective conference in Mangaung later this year.
- The alleged involvement of Acting National Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in covering up the murder of an unarmed civilian.
- The fact that more than 27 000 members of the SAPS are not fit to carry or fire a gun, yet continue to do so.
In light of speculation placing Minister Mthethwa firmly in the pro-Zuma camp ahead of the ANC's elective conference in Mangaung, the Minister's continued silence on these issues raises concern about his grasp of the situation in the SAPS and his capacity and political will to deal decisively with the mounting problems.
Mdluli's alleged political ties to President Zuma and rumours that he is likely to be appointed as National Commissioner as a result should not prevent Minister Mthethwa from fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities.
Minister Mthethwa must be summoned to the Police Portfolio Committee to explain the state of affairs in the SAPS and outline the Ministry's comprehensive plan to deal with the problems and rebuild public confidence in the police. Mthethwa must also assuage concerns that his party-political involvement takes precedence over his duties and responsibilities as Police Minister.
The SAPS is a critical service and cannot afford an absentee minister in addition to successive controversial police commissioners.
Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, March 29 2012
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