Announcement on Mdluli today

PUBLIC Protector Thuli Madonsela will announce today whether her office will investigate claims of corruption levelled at crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli.

Her spokesman Oupa Segalwe said yesterday the announcement would be made after Madonsela had concluded a meeting scheduled for the day.

Democratic Alliance MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard said there were "at least 15 reasons" why an investigation was warranted.

These included allegations that it cost the crime intelligence unit R5-million to employ Mdluli's relatives and give them luxury cars.

Mdluli had allegedly used crime intelligence vehicles when he was not entitled to.

On his watch, a crime intelligence whistle-blower was abducted by "operatives" and a "prominent person" from KwaZulu-Natal allegedly placed in crime intelligence to influence suspended police boss Bheki Cele.

Other reasons included the alleged bribing of two journalists - one with R100000 to write a positive story about the police and the other R50000 not to publish a story about a senior police officer.

The Hawks were investigating claims that almost R200000 was paid from the crime intelligence slush fund for renovations to Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa's private residence in KwaZulu-Natal.

"This is [all] in addition to unanswered questions about allegations of murder, kidnapping, assault and intimidation hanging over Mdluli's head," Kohler-Barnard said.

"The public protector has the power to lift the cloak of secrecy over the crime intelligence slush fund and expose the involvement of key police officers and politicians.

"It is imperative that transparency and accountability prevail."

The inquest into the murder of Mdluli's former lover's husband, Oupa Ramogibe, was postponed in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court until April 30.

At the time of Ramogibe's killing, Mdluli was branch commander of Vosloorus police station.