Masemola denies approving disbandment of political killings task team
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has confirmed that KZN SAPS chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's security has been beefed up following his explosive briefing on Sunday.
Masemola held a briefing on Wednesday morning in Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, where over 12,000 firearms were destroyed.
He confirmed that Mkhwanazi has been provided with additional security since Sunday.
" In terms of physical protection, you would know that, as I said, he's been getting threats to his life in that province. We have beefed up his security, but he won't be persecuted from my side. Surely there will be no persecution of any member of the South African Police Service - not only him."
The national commissioner finally broke his silence, after Mkhwanazi this weekend accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and senior police officials of interfering in high-profile investigations, including those linked to political killings and organised crime.
Mkhwanazi also accused Mchunu of derailing one of the probes by trying to disband the police's political killings task team.
It's understood that Minister Mchunu sent a letter to Masemola at the end of December, saying the unit no longer served a purpose.
Masemola was asked about the status of the task team.
" I'm sure you have not seen any letter that I've signed to close the unit. I have not signed it, and I don't think anybody has ever seen a letter where I've signed off the closure of the unit."
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