KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has assured MPs that his decision to speak out about corruption in the criminal justice system is not because he is being used for political means.

He was testifying for the second day before the Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, which is investigating concerns related to national security.

It was established to probe allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the criminal justice system, which he had made in July.

Mkhwanazi was asked whether he thought he was being used for political ends.

“I was happy with the citizens making noise. Political parties are welcome to make noise; they are members of society as well. But to be used as a face in politics was a problem for me. Since then, what has happened is that people have started saying ‘Mkhwanazi for president’. I came here yesterday and I said it … I’m a policeman and I know how to be a law enforcement officer, not a politician.”

He told the committee that bad things are happening in the police. “Bad things are happening in our organisation. Few individuals, sharing info with Sibiya in CI, can only be CI officials who say that.”

‘Spreading sensitive info’

The issue of MPs who have access to classified documents and have distributed them to journalists has been discussed at length.

Mkhwanazi says he is not calling for the persecution of journalists, but that journalists should also adhere to the law.

“We use counter-intelligence for anything that is a threat to safety. So if a journalist breaks the law, it must be countered. If a journalist is a recipient of criminality for spreading sensitive info, and must be held accountable together with the person who shared the information with them. will make journo responsible for the information.”

Whistleblowers

The KZN Police Chief says he would suggest to whistleblowers not to reveal their identities when unearthing suspected corruption. He has encouraged people to report corruption and other crimes, but to protect their identity, to remain safe.

“While government can try to put in safety structures, by and large, with the level of crime and corruption in the country, whistleblowers must not make their identity known, report something, even via someone, but don’t make their identity known because the moment you do it, you become a target.”

The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, is expected to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee today.

Ad Hoc Committee | Parliament’s probe into Mkhwanazi claims: Prof Sipho Seepe

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