Two years after being praised for her no-nonsense approach to Thabo Bester’s prison escape, Glynnis Breytenbach is now facing criticism over her comments about KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The DA’s Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development questioned why the top cop did not bring his grievances before parliament.
Last month, Mkhwanazi made headlines after accusing the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, of being involved in a politically-motivated criminal syndicate. The bombshell revelations were made in a media conference.
CRITICISM OF NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI’S PRESS CONFERENCE
Speaking on the DA’s official podcast this week, Glynnis Breytenbach questioned Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s actions last month.
She said, “He comes to the portfolio committee on police once a month. Why didn’t he tell them about it? That was the appropriate space to raise it.”
Glynnis also questioned Mkhwanazi’s attire.
She continued: “To come to a press conference with people in full combat gear with automatic weapons and wearing masks, that looks like a coup loading.”
Glynnis is one of 18 MPs who form part of the ad hoc committee established to investigate police corruption claims made by the KZN police commissioner.
She added, “We do look forward to it. It is going to be a very interesting ad hoc committee, and we really hope that we get clarity for South Africans.”
GOT IT ALL WRONG?
On the X platform, Glynnis Breytenbach’s comments about Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi were widely refuted.
Many retweeted screenshots of clips from the KZN police commissioner’s comments in parliament back in March. Others dismissed her claims about Mkhwanazi’s approach.
WHO IS GLYNNIS BREYTENBACH?
Glynnis Breytenbach is a feisty figure in the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services meetings held in parliament.
The DA MP and Spokesperson on Justice is well-known for grilling ministers and stakeholders on their lack of accountability.
Here is what we know about the smoking, swearing former prosecutor…
She’s a former NPA prosecutor who accused Richard Mdluli of corruption
After almost three decades at the NPA, Glynnis Breytenbach was suspended in 2012 after she went after the head of Police Crime Intelligence. After being re-instated, Glynnis joined the DA in 2014.
She’s a published author
Glynnis Breytenbach penned the memoir Rule Of Law about her experiences as a public prosecutor.
The book also examines her views on “the evolution and importance of an independent judiciary in South Africa.” It explains “why the rule of law is critical to the foundation and the future of the country.”
She survived two assassination attempts
In her memoir, Glynnis writes about surviving two hits.
That didnt scare her, though. In fact, she even attempted to run over her attacker.
An excerpt in her memoir reads: “‘What a f**king cheek, I’ll drive right over you,’ she [Glynnis] thought, and aimed her car at the front bike. ‘I floored my car, and I hit him. The other two stopped to help him, and I left the scene”.
She’s a rebel who doesn’t care about public opinion
As a teenager, Glynnis Breytenbach claims she drove a motorbike and “spent practically my entire high school in detention.”
She said in her biography: “I don’t give a flying f**k if you like me or you don’t like me. I’m not going to change.”
Her favourite hobbies are “swearing and smoking”
In her memoir, she said of her vulgar vocab, particularly her favourite word – “f**k,”: “It’s expressive and can be used as an adjective, adverb, noun or verb. Its uses are endless. But I never ever use it in court or in Parliament.”
ARE YOU A FAN OF GLYNNIS BREYTENBACH?
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