ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says it is up to President Cyril Ramaphosa to decide the fate of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu who has been implicated in serious wrongdoing by the police’s Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi alleged during a media briefing on Sunday that Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya were among those captured by criminal groups and had been using their positions to undermine criminal investigations.
“Issues that General Mkhwanazi raised yesterday are matters that are very serious and will be attended to by the President,” said Mbalula indicating that the party is deeply concerned about the allegations and want them clarified as soon as possible.
The Secretary General was criticised for suggesting during an interview on television news channel eNCA that the allegations were reducing the country to a banana republic.
He denied attacking Mkhwanazi and said he merely sought to emphasise that the allegations raised serious questions about the security of the country.
“These allegations touch on the very integrity of the criminal justice system and the constitutional obligation of the state to protect all South Africans,” said Mbalula.
He said the allegations by Mkhwanazi should be tested in a competent forum.
Meanwhile Ramaphosa said he was unaware of the allegations aired while he was in Rio Dejaneoro, Brazil where he was attending the BRICS summit.
He said he wanted to talk to all involved before deciding on the course of action.
“I was not aware of it, that it was coming. And obviously, it is a matter that I will be dealing with when I get home.I will need to look at it more closely and have a thorough going discussion with a number of people.And thereafter, there will be a clear way forward. This is not a matter that we should not give attention to. It is a serious matter.It has to do with the security of our people, but it also has to do with our adherence to the rule of law. The police play a critical role in enhancing the rule of law, the safety of South Africans, and that those who have done wrong should be dealt with and should be dealt with thoroughly in terms of our constitution and our laws. So this matter is going to be addressed,” said Ramaphosa.