Ramaphosa institutes commission of inquiry into Mkhwanazi allegations
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a commission of inquiry into the allegations made by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Addressing the nation on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa also announced that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu would be placed on leave for the duration of the commission’s work.
Mkhwanazi alleged Mchunu received payments from a corruption suspect and played a role in dismantling the team investigating political killings to shield politically connected people.
Mchunu rejected the allegations as "insinuations made without evidence or due process”.
“To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I am establishing a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga,” Ramaphosa said.
Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC will assist Justice Madlanga.
READ: Ramaphosa in tight spot over Mchunu - analyst
Ramaphosa said the commission will investigate allegations of criminal syndicates' infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence, and associated institutions within the criminal justice system.
‘Among the allegations that the commission may investigate are the facilitation of organised crime; suppression or manipulation of investigations; inducement into criminal actions by law enforcement leadership; commission of any other criminal offences and intimidation, victimisation or targeted removal of whistleblowers or officials resisting criminal influence.
“The commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity; failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings; or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate's operations.”
Interim reports are expected after 3 and 6 months, respectively.
Professor Firoz Cachalia will take over as acting Minister of Police at the end of July.
Professor Cachalia is a law professor at the University of the Witwatersrand and the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council.
He previously served as the MEC of Community Safety in Gauteng.
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