By Akani Nkuna
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has been instructed to look into a number of allegations against Hawks divisional commissioner Major-General Patrick Mbotho.
This follows the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration acceding to a request from the Portfolio Committee on Police to refer the allegations against Mbotho to the PSC for an urgent and in-depth investigation.
Mbotho is facing serious allegations, including ties to organised crime and sharing explicit content with colleagues on a detectives’ WhatsApp group while he headed up the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
“The decision to refer the matter to the PSC signals the strong intention and commitment of both committees to ensure that the leadership of all state organs are above reproach, and have at the centre the need for effective and efficient public service,” public service committee chairperson Jan de Villiers said in a statement.
Both committees were cognisant of the importance of the Hawks and the SA Police Service in combating crime.
“The fight against crime requires police officers of high integrity who are beyond reproach. The ongoing scourge of extortions crippling the country and the fact that some police officials are also accused of perpetrating extortion, highlight why there is a need for ethical… SAPS members,” said police committee chairperson Ian Cameron.
“The fact that Major-General Mbotho has had various allegations of impropriety against him might create a negative perception about the SAPS’s willingness to fight crime.”
The investigation was lodged in accordance with Chapter 2 of the PSC rules on conducting investigations established in 2017.
While the police portfolio committee has previously called on the leadership of the Hawks to reconsider Mbotho’s appointment, the referral is based primarily on the need to investigate the allegations.
“What is important for both committees is to ensure that capable, ethical and credible officers are in the forefront of the SAPS to strengthen crime fighting efforts.
“Furthermore, the referral seeks to ensure a high standard of professionalism and accountability within the SAPS. There must be a clear message that all SAPS officers are capable and are of high integrity,” Cameron said.
The committees will wait for a clear timeline from the PSC on the processes it intends to undertake to investigate the matter.
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