Metro cop chief linked to crime intelligence firm

THE new chief of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), Zwelibanzi Velaphi Nyanda, is one of four directors of shady crime intelligence front company Universal Technical Enterprises, according to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).

The company is used by SAPS crime intelligence to cover its tracks when it buys goods and services, including houses and cars, supposedly for the benefit of its informants and for use in undercover operations.

The covert fund of the crime intelligence unit is believed to be R90-million a year, but it is not known whether all of it is controlled by Universal.

In the past few years the covert fund has attracted negative coverage with a slew of allegations that it has been abused for the benefit of the crime intelligence head honchos.

Another Universal co-director, Major-General Solomon Lazarus, appeared in court for fraud relating to the abuse of the fund. He has since been reinstated as head of finance for crime intelligence.

Mulangi Mphego, a retired crime intelligence officer, is also a co-director, as is Lerato Thwene. There isn't much known about the 35-year-old except that he is employed by crime intelligence.

Nyanda is listed by the CIPC as a director of seven companies.

At his installation as metro police chief this week, Nyanda said he would use his skills as "an underground fighter, guerilla, conventional soldier, police officer and intelligence officer" to sort out corruption in the JMPD.

"This is a clear warning to those who favour racism, and those who are corrupted and incompetent.

"There will be no excuse for damaging the reputation of the JMPD."

Nyanda said he wanted officers to be trained in a range of disciplines and to be physically fit.

"New motorbikes have been acquired. We just need to train some officers to use them."

Horses will still be used for crowd control, and even the use of bicycles might be considered.