By Simon Nare and Lungile Ntimba
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has assigned three committees to urgently look into allegations of political interference levelled against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
The order follows explosive revelations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi, who revealed at the weekend how Mchunu allegedly used his political influence to disband a task team investigating political killings.
Mkwanazi shocked the nation by associating the minister with alleged killer Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Didiza said in a statement on Wednesday that the portfolio committees on police, justice and constitutional development and the joint standing committee on intelligence should in terms of their respective mandates urgently consider the wide-ranging allegations revealed by Mkhwanazi and report back to the National Assembly.
“In relation to the debate requested by two political parties, the Speaker believes that it would not be appropriate to hold such a debate, as these allegations remain unsubstantiated at this stage,” parliamentary spokesman Mothapo Moloto said in a statement.
Moloto explained that Portfolio Committee on Police would work jointly with the Portfolio committee on Justice and Constitutional Development through open meetings as dictated guidelines.
The Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence would have to work separately as it was governed by a different set of rules.
“As such, it will deliberate on the matter separately from the two committees and in accordance with its established procedures, which include closed sessions as per parliamentary rules,” said Moloto.
Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron emphasised the importance and urgency of a parliamentary response to the allegations.
According to committee spokesperson Malatswa Molepo, the chairperson had received confirmation from the Didiza that she was considering the request for guidance on how to proceed.
“I must reiterate that accountability and transparency are critical in considering this matter. The credibility of the SAPS and the security of our country is dependent on how these allegations are handled,” said Cameron.
As more voices come out calling for his head, Mchunu has made an about turn in relation to his link to another implicated businessman, Brown Mogotsi, who is alleged to be an associate of Matlala.
Mchunu previously told a portfolio committee that he did not know Mogotsi. But, in a statement on Wednesday he confirmed that he knew Brown and had met him, describing him as a mere comrade and not an associate.
“The minister has never requested or received anything from him,” said ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi.
Mchunu denied claims linking him to Matlala and Mogotsi, following Mkhwanazi accusing senior SAPS officials of political interference, obstruction of justice and high-level corruption.
“The minister has never met Matlala, has never spoken to him, nor has the minister ever requested or received anything from him. The minister did, however, initiate a review of the SAPS tender awarded to him when suspicions of possible wrongdoing surfaced. It was the same tender which has since been terminated,” said Mogotsi.
Mkwanazi told reporters on Sunday that 121 cases previously investigated by the political killings task team were removed from the team’s docket before the unit was eventually disbanded.
He alleged that the integrity and operational independence of the task team, which was established in 2018 under a presidential directive, had been compromised through deliberate sabotage by senior SAPS officials allegedly acting under political instruction.
The Democratic Alliance plans on laying charges against Mchunu on Thursday.
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