National Police Commissioner has expressed reluctant support for the SAPS’ outspoken Kwazulu-Natal Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi who on sunday made damning allegations against among others Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Chief among the allegations by Mkhwanazi during the unprecedented media briefing on Sunday is that Mchunu is being controlled by alleged criminal mastermind and businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala through an influence peddler known as Brown Mogotsi from the North West.
Masemola held his own briefing in Pretoria on wednesday and tried to avoid the elephant in the room ( allegations of capture of the SAPS by drug cartels) only responding briefly to questions raised by journalists.
“Look one doesn’t venture into criminal investigations. the provincial commissioner did indicate what he’s investigating and one cannot venture into criminal investigation, the province has the authority to investigate criminal cases ,” said Masemola on the criminal charges laid against the minister by Mkhwanazi.
On Sunday one of Masemola’s deputies, Shadrack Sibiya whom Mkhwanazi accused of disbanding the task team investigating political killings at the instruction of Matlala claimed on various media interviews that he was instructed in writing by the National Commissioner to do so but Masemola denied this.
“Well I am sure you have not seen any letter that I have signed closing the unit. I have not signed it you heard what the provincial commissioner that after Cat Matlala was arrested it became clear as to what the reasons were,” said Masemola .
“I know Mogotsi.
Meanwhile Mchunu has now admitted to knowing Brown Mogotsi although denying that he’s an associate or he’s ever met with alleged mastermind Vusimuzi Cat Matlala.
“The Minister has never met Mr. 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. Furthermore, whilst the Minister knows and has met Mr. Brown Mogotsi, he is just a comrade and not an associate of the Minister. The Minister has never requested or received anything from him,” said Mchunu in a statement released by his spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi.