Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Tommy Mthombeni stated that he has not personally encountered political interference in investigations, emphasising that his role is to oversee crime investigations rather than conduct them.

His comments follow the explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi accused senior police officials, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is currently on leave, of obstructing politically sensitive investigations and dismantling a task team that was probing political killings in the province.

He alleged that the disbanded unit had uncovered links between a powerful drug cartel and high-ranking politicians, police officers, and prosecutors. 

The top cop also claimed Mchunu arranged a private meeting with himself, Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, and Mkhwanazi to “clear the bad blood” between them. 

Sibiya was also placed on leave after the allegations.

“There can never be peace between a criminal and a policeman,” Mkhwanazi said, labelling Sibiya a criminal.

Mkhwanazi, dressed in his Special Task Force (STF) combat uniform and flanked by armed STF and Tactical Response Team (TRT) officers, alleged that in March, 121 case dockets were abruptly removed from the task team and shelved at the SAPS head office in Pretoria under Sibiya’s oversight.

He further claimed the task team had uncovered a national syndicate involving serving politicians in Parliament and described the unit’s disbandment as “a calculated move to shield a criminal syndicate embedded in law enforcement and politics.”

Since its formation in 2018, the unit has handled 612 cases and secured over 100 convictions. 

Mkhwanazi said pressure to stop the unit’s work escalated after it recovered weapons linked to high-profile political assassinations.

In a December 2024 letter to National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Mchunu claimed the unit had “outlived its usefulness.” Masemola later denied authorising its closure.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika from Alexandra township during Operation Shanela, Mthombeni confirmed that Gauteng SAPS had requested assistance from KZN’s political killings task team amid rising incidents of cash-in-transit heists.

“We are the South African Police Service. We operate nationally. When there is a need, KZN, Mpumalanga, or North West come for assistance,” he said.

Mthombeni detailed coordinated operations between Gauteng and other provinces, which he said led to the arrest of four suspects linked to weapons seizures, including AK-47s and pistols, during operations in areas like Wynburg and Vereeniging.

Recently, the task team also assisted in the recent breakthrough in the murder case of popular musician Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody, who was gunned down in November 2022.

On Monday, July 21 four suspects aged between 45 and 60 were arrested in Gauteng, three alleged hitmen and one suspected of ordering the killing. 

A firearm used in the crime was seized and linked to multiple other murders, according to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Mthombeni praised the working relationship with the multidisciplinary team from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), which resulted in five fatalities following a shootout during a recent cash-in-transit operation at Crown Mines.

Asked directly about political interference, Mthombeni said, “We work closely with the Premier of Gauteng, and I report directly to the National Commissioner. From time to time, I also appear before the provincial legislature as required.”

He stressed that while he oversees crime investigation at a strategic level, he does not personally investigate cases.

“If there is political interference, it would likely come out during the commission of inquiry. As for me directly, I will not say I have experienced political interference,” he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who is retiring on Thursday after 17 years on the bench, is set to lead the Commission of Inquiry into alleged criminality, political interference, and protection of criminal elements within the SAPS.

The inquiry was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa following Mkhwanazi’s allegations. 

The commission will run for six months at an estimated cost of R147.9 million.

Meanwhile, law professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed as acting police minister. He will assume the role on Friday, 1 August.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

Source link