GOOD Statement by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General:
GOOD calls on the President to authorise a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. There are no other State agencies with the credibility and integrity to probe allegations of political interference in the criminal justice system raised by Mkhwanazi.
In terms of the law, the SIU may be empowered by the President to investigate offences under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, including those committed by public officers, members of legislative bodies, and judicial officers. This is the only viable way to ensure a credible, independent, and constitutionally grounded investigation into this national crisis.
Mkhwanazi did not just implicate fellow senior police officers and Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu in a web of criminality, he also fingered members of the judiciary and National Prosecuting Authority. He painted a lurid picture of a criminal justice system with a rotten core.
The Department of Justice and NPA are already facing a judicial inquisition into alleged political interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era killings.
And in June, NPA head Shamila Batohi appeared before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) to address delays in prosecuting corruption. She also attempted to dispel perceptions of political meddling in the NPA’s work.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s mandate is too narrow to span the entire criminal justice system, and it is already investigating Mkhwanazi in a separate matter. South Africa has had a National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council for the past five years, but it doesn’t have an investigative mandate.
Parliament provides the potential solution of a formal inquiry with evidence leaders and powers to subpoena witnesses – similar to the 2017 inquiry into Eskom – but the allegations against Mchunu create a political dynamic in which parties will struggle to agree on terms of reference. Yet the allegations Mkhwanazi raised are too serious to be placed on the back-burner of another judicial commission.
While the nation awaits President Ramaphosa’s management of the matter, Mkhwanazi would be well advised to depose a comprehensive affidavit laying out the evidence to support his charges. South Africa cannot afford a culture of politically explosive but unsubstantiated public accusations. Mkhwanazi’s allegations must lead to evidence and the laying of criminal charges against those he named as participants in the conspiracy.
His appearance in full battle-dress before the media on Sunday was highly impactful, but Mkhwanazi’s personal safety should be better considered. Public appearances by key witnesses and whistle-blowers are, for good reasons, generally minimised. He needs full protection.
South Africa is too battered by crime and criminal impunity to afford a police minister with a cloud of criminal allegations obscuring his vision.
GOOD Environmental Issues: The party is committed to sustainable development and environmental protection.
Die Slice
Biltong – seasoned strips of dried meat. Similar to beef jerky (but much tastier!), this is the spicy, cured snack eaten at rugby matches. It is usually made from beef, game and even ostrich.
tin mutt
Kuwait: You have two cows. They each have a diamond-studded mercedes-benz.