KwaZulu-Natal’s top cop has reacted to the decision by the parliamentary Ad Hoc committee investigating criminality and political interference in the work of the police to call him again to testify and answer some of the issues raised by other witnesses.
Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says any errors or omissions during the submission were never intentional.
Mkhwanazi said this when he was asked questions by the media in Durban on the sidelines of the launch of the provincial safety festive season plan. He launched the project together with KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli.
Called to apologise to Bheki Cele
His comment comes as the parliamentary Ad Hoc committee has called for his return to officially apologise to former Police Minister Bheki Cele and the public.
He had accused Cele of sending attempted murder-accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala a bank account number that is in a third party’s name. This account allegedly received money from Matlala, who had allegedly sent proof of payment to Cele for acknowledgement. However, In a statement to the committee, Cele denied the claims.
The committee’s evidence leader Norman Arendse SC said Mkhwanazi had called to apologise on the matter. He confirmed that the team that was working on the analysis got the bank account number wrong.
“As I have said before, what I presented before the citizens in July was not my making alone. It was South African Police Service members, hardworking [people], who are frustrated. And I am sure as we are watching what’s happening in the commission, you get to hear more police officers talking about the frustrations.
“So, as I have said in my presentation and in my statement, what I am talking about is information I have. Some of it I read in documents that I am entitled to read. And some of it I received from the colleagues that briefed me about it.
Errors can be explained
“So, as I presented, I was presenting the [police]. And where there was an omission or error made, that was not intentional. And that is going to be explained,” he said.
Mkhwanazi also appeared to be unfazed by the decision of member of parliament Faidel Adams of the Coloured Congress to open a case against him. He said he is not afraid of being prosecuted, and Adams must bring it on.
“If there is any case opened at the police station, anyone has got the right to open a case. Police must investigate. And if there is a crime committed and the police feel that they must take that to the courts, the courts will decide to prosecute or not to prosecute.
“I was never afraid to be prosecuted, and I am not going to be afraid to be prosecuted now. So, if Mr Adams, who I spoke about in that commission, feels that he must then use the strategy to threaten or intimidate, it’s ok. I am [not] afraid of that. We already understand which side of the law he is on. And we will find each other at the right place. Let it happen, he must bring it on. I will never be afraid of it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mkhwanazi said they would pull out all stops to ensure a safe festive season. The project is aimed at ensuring that tourists and the citizens of the province have a safe festive season.
He said in return, everyone must cooperate with the police while doing their work. And he added that they will not hesitate to fight back when confronted by criminals.
