CLAIMS by suspended head of police crime intelligence Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli that senior officers had ganged up on him in a conspiracy to have him removed have been proved to be baseless.

Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa set up a task team to investigate the allegations, made in a letter written to him by Mdluli.

The task team was appointed on May 11 and was given a month to conclude their investigation and submit a report on their findings.

Mthethwa's spokesman Zweli Mnisi said: "The letter alluded to some conspiracy theory and named former national police commissioner Bheki Cele, head of the Hawks Lieutenant-General Anwa Dramat, operational services head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya and Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros as those ganging up against him.

"The allegations were so serious as they further suggested the meddling of policing functionaries in politics," Mnisi added.

He added: "The task team has found no evidence suggesting that the above-mentioned senior police officials were involved in any kind of conspiracy against Lieutenant General Mdluli."

Mnisi said that the officers fingered by Mdluli had acted "professionally, in good faith and with due care and regard for the sensitivity of thematter".

The task team also found that the source which gave Mdluli such information could not corroborate theallegations.

"The terms of reference for the task team, which was headed by chief state law adviser Enver Daniels, were to collate information, including the letter, as well as consultation with all the people mentioned in the letter and thereafter provide in-depth analysis and compile a final report," said Mnisi. - moengk@sowetan.co.za