Security analyst Prof Dumisani Mabunda says that the past few days have not been easy for Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who seemed to struggle to answer some of the questions put to him by Members of Parliament.

Mchunu has concluded his testimony before the Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, investigating allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Among others, Mkhwanazi alleged political interference resulted in a directive for the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.

Mabunda says this should serve as a reminder to South Africans that nothing stays hidden forever.

Audit

Mchunu has recommended to Parliament’s Ad Hoc committee that an audit must be done of the Political Killings Task Team and that a single anti-corruption unit should be established.

“The Auditor General should be approached and appointed to conduct a full and independent audit of the National Political Task Team’s financial matters. The second one we consider recommending strongly that a single independent anti-corruption agency; all of us in the security cluster know and acknowledge that we are very weak.”

Clearance checks

The security clearance of Mchunu’s Chief of Staff, Cedrick Nkabinde came under discussion. Nkabinde, who at some point worked at the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, had allegedly told Mkhwanazi that Mchunu offered him the job of Chief of Staff, but that he wasn’t sure what the job entails.

Mchunu couldn’t tell DA MP, Ian Cameron, that he was sure about Nkabinde’s clearance.

“You must know the status of security clearance because he is a person working around sensitive info, and the fact that you don’t know if he has it is concerning.”

Ad hoc committee | Mchunu denies links to criminal cartels

Mchunu also told the committee that SAPS needs to be overhauled to restore public confidence.

“Down the line, you would’ve needed measures, maybe not a wholesale overhaul, but you need to overhaul certain aspects of SAPS if you want to gain confidence. One is to say, what are the norms and standards of a police station? Policing is what people see on a daily basis. build confidence from the floor and upwards, do tangible things. If you have a police station where you promised 5 or 10 years ago, and there is crime, people will say it’s because the police station has not delivered. deal with murders. But will need resources. will be a long process, but we need drastic steps.”

Mchunu has denied having ever interfered with the work of the police.

His predecessor, Bheki Cele, will appear before the committee for the next two days.

VIDEO | Political Analyst unpacks Mchunu’s testimony at the Ad Hoc Committee: