An SAPS expert, Maj-Gen. Patronella Van Rooyen, has said Parliament failed in its constitutional oversight role by ignoring allegations of political interference by KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, months before his explosive media briefing in July.
“So the fact that the Portfolio Committee didn’t act on that is, in my mind, a failure of their mandate,” she told the Madlanga Commission.
“Even if they initiated an investigation, called the management of the police to come and explain, that would already have been an exercise of oversight on their part to ensure that the matter received attention.”
Mkhwanazi made headlines on July 6, when — flanked by heavily armed tactical officers and wearing a Special Task Force uniform — he publicly accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in high-level investigations.
He said Mchunu interfered in police investigations, including giving an order to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
Mchunu protected criminal networks within the police and political spheres, according to Mkhwanazi and National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola.
Mchunu and the suspended deputy commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, are accused of having links to the controversial businessman, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso Molefe.
In her testimony, Van Rooyen said Mchunu, had no authority to disband the PKTT.
This is a reason she viewed as falling outside the boundaries.
“To manage and control the police service, that must be linked to manage and control the police service in the execution of its constitutional mandate.
“And the decision of the minister to close a political task team that was responsible for the investigation of crime, in my view, fell outside the mandate or authority of the minister,” she said, according to Section 207 of the Constitution.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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