• Tweet

LIMITS: Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi sees no need for more security for the Mdluli case detectives.

RELATED ARTICLES

• Death probe into Mdluli on
• Cele's phone was bugged - report
• Rogue cop in blue light gang arrest
• Blurring the blue line
• Cop kills lover, self as colleagues plead with him
• Second magistrate gets bail for robbery charge
• Hijackers turn out to be police

Yesterday, in response to a barrage of questions from the police portfolio committee, Mkhwanazi said there was no need to provide extra security for the detectives because they had guns to defend themselves.

These are the police probing murder and fraud charges against Mdluli, who was placed back into his position last month after a lengthy suspension - even though a murder inquest against him was still pending.

Mdluli, Lieutenant-Colonel Omhle Mtunzi, Samuel Dlomo and Colonel Nkosana Ximba were last year arrested and charged with murder and defeating the ends of justice.

ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe said Mdluli's return was likely to have scared witnesses from testifying against him and could also put the lives of detectives who were tasked with investigating the case at risk.

But Mkhwanazi said the police's capacity to protect citizens would be severely hampered if they were expected to provide security to thousands of their detectives.

"If indeed we are going to provide protection to every officer, there will be less police protecting citizens," said Mkhwanazi, adding that the Mdluli detectives were allowed to go home in possession of their service pistols as a security measure.

"There are mechanisms that we do deploy in [certain] instances to try and protect our members. But the protection is limited, it cannot be like [that of] a minister where you have protection 24 hours."

Mkhwanazi also defended the deployment of several members of the now disbanded Durban organised crime unit, which operated from Cato Manor, to the elite crime fighting unit the Hawks.

The MPs blasted the redeployment of the Cato Manor team to the Hawks, saying it could compromise the specialised crime unit.

But Mkhwanazi said they had not been found guilty of wrongdoing by any disciplinary structure of the South African Police Service.

"For now they are still employees of SAPS," he said.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Tue May 21 23:06:43 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 18, 2012

RobinH

He did not come across very well at all. Not a great confidence boost.
Report Abuse

Apr 18, 2012

Mapholobakay1

Says a man who has been gagged. He is scared to share his real views because he might loose everything, including his life. Zuma had it all planned out.

The real story here is that they are all dirty. Mdluli, Mkhwanazi, Cele and Selebi.
Report Abuse

Apr 18, 2012

Afrojoy

It's like guards asking to be guarded.
Report Abuse

Apr 18, 2012

guiliano

Seems as if Mkhwanazi is more concerned that mdluli does not reveal secrets than the lives of his detectives.
Report Abuse

Apr 18, 2012

RobinH

guiliano: EXACTLY!
Report Abuse

Apr 18, 2012

Memme

Heish but i miss Comrade Cele guys, He might have his weaknkess as a humna being but that guy definetely knew how to deal with crime..
Report Abuse

Apr 18, 2012

Sinudeity

Memme - "Weakness as a human being"

You mean criminal? Just like Sele, just like Richard.
Report Abuse

Apr 18, 2012

Memme

@Sinudeity
Yes, show me anyone who is perfect in our gorvenment.
Report Abuse

Apr 18, 2012

Sinudeity

Memme - "show me anyone who is perfect in our gorvenment."

That is the problem.
Report Abuse

Apr 18, 2012

TDK

This cop is mad. Who said the deployment is a safety measure. You will be easily traced to your new station or province.
Report Abuse

Read all 18 comments