Durban - The SAPS can never be credible if those in charge are implicated or investigated for fraud, corruption or any other wrongdoing and get “shielded” by their seniors.
This is according to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), which was reacting to reports that KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, is facing an internal disciplinary investigation.
According to the police, the investigation was prompted by an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) report.
Ngobeni’s troubles date back to when she testified before the Moloi Commission in May 2012, in an inquiry that sought to establish whether Bheki Cele, when he was national police commissioner, was fit to hold office.
Cele had been suspended by President Jacob Zuma the previous year after two reports by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on his alleged flouting of tender processes in two lease deals worth R1.6 billion.
In the wake of the release of the Moloi report on the Cele matter, the Daily News’s sister paper, Sunday Tribune, reported that Ngobeni’s husband’s birthday party in 2011, was paid for by Durban businessman Toshan Panday.
Panday was investigated and charged with a R60 million corruption case involving an alleged accommodation tender scam during the soccer World Cup.
Later, it was reported that there were attempts by top police officials to stymie an investigation into Panday by Major-General Booysen, the Hawks KZN head.
The charges against Panday were provisionally withdrawn in 2013 because of problems with evidence.
Police pursued disciplinary charges against Booysen linked to his alleged failure to act against members of the Cato Manor serious and violent crimes unit for their alleged excessive use of force.
But an internal inquiry in September cleared him of any wrongdoing in this regard.
National police spokesman, Lieutenant-General Solomon Makgale, confirmed the probe into Ngobeni was prompted by the Ipid report. “Based on our own disciplinary procedures, we are required to institute an inquiry to determine whether the allegations have merit.”
Makgale did not comment when asked who would handle the internal investigation, and if Ngobeni’s presence in the SAPS during the investigation would affect the process. He also did not say when the probe would be completed.
ISS senior researcher, Dr Johan Burger, said the issue involving Ngobeni and Panday was “wrong from the beginning”.
He blamed the national police commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, for shielding Ngobeni.
“We want the courts to decide on this matter and if Ngobeni was to be found guilty of wrongdoing, then Phiyega must explain her actions to renew her contract despite the dark cloud hanging over her head,” Burger said.
Phiyega and Ngobeni could not be reached for comment. SMSes were sent to their phones on Wednesday but were not answered.
The DA’s spokeswoman on policing matters, MP Dianne Kohler Barnard, said she would like to see an independent person chairing Ngobeni’s matter.
Daily News