KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has informed Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee about the alleged misuse of state funds by certain members of South African Police Service’s Crime Intelligence division.
The ad hoc committee, probing Mkhwanazi’s allegations made on 6 July, held its inaugural hearing in Parliament on 7 October.
Mkhwanazi informed the committee that individuals from Crime Intelligence illegally used secret funds to construct a perimeter wall at the residence of the late former South African Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa.
Mkhwanazi said the wall was built while Mthethwa was police minister, yet no one was held accountable despite available reports.
“In 2011, we’re experiencing all these things, members from Crime Intelligence take the money out of Crime Intelligence to use it to take control of the executive authority,” Mkhwanazi said.
He stated that Mthethwa never requested the wall; certain members used funds to exploit and gain influence over the minister.
Mkhwanazi’s assertions regarding the late ex-police minister’s home renovations were widely reported on in 2012, when the Auditor-General of South Africa confirmed the wall construction, but cleared Mthethwa of any impropriety.
“There is no evidence that indicates that the minister knew that the wall was being erected using secret service funds,” said then-AG Terence Nombembe.
Nombembe could also not find any evidence that Mthethwa gave instructions to conduct a risk assessment at his home, or that he was involved in the eventual process, the Mail & Guardian reported at the time.
Crime Intelligence leasing safe houses
Furthermore, Mkhwanazi alleged that the unit had been leasing properties, raising questions about who actually owns some of the houses.
“In government, in general, the lease of a facility is a Public Works responsibility, but Crime Intelligence has been leasing buildings from as far back as I [could] remember, and there have never been issues [about] that,” said Mkhwanazi.
He added that some members of the unit have been profiting by leasing out their own properties.
Mkhwanazi urged that proper channels be used to ensure accountability and that action be taken against those responsible for wrongdoing.
Responding to complaint by de Haas against PKTT
Responding to Professor Mary de Haas’s letter, Mkhwanazi questioned the researcher’s capabilities, stating he could do a better than her.
In a letter addressing the alleged disregard of Senzo Mchunu’s instruction to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), de Haas claimed the team was failing to deliver justice for victims of political violence.
De Haas also claimed that the PKTT’s main role appeared to be shielding perpetrators, particularly tenderpreneurs and taxi operators connected to politicians.
Mkhwanazi also expressed concern over Mchunu’s decision to disband the PKTT based on de Haas’ complaint. He said the minister showed poor leadership by bypassing executive members and taking advice from someone outside the institution.
