Media reports on the President and Mr Mdluli

The Presidency has noted ongoing media reports attempting to link President Jacob Zuma to issues around Lt General Richard Mdluli of SAPS (see report). Some of the allegations have included that the President has interfered to have fraud and criminal charges against Gen Mdluli dropped.

Allegations include:

- That the President personally called the Inspector-General of Intelligence Ms Faith Radebe to question her decision to refer criminal charges to the National Prosecuting Authority to allegedly investigate Gen Mdluli.

- That President Zuma displayed his support for Gen Mdluli by attending a party that Gen Mdluli allegedly hosted to celebrate the withdrawal of charges against him.

These reports are a complete fabrication. The President has never called IG Radebe at any point, and anyone who says he did must produce evidence.

The President knows nothing about a Mdluli celebratory party and never attended such a party. We challenge anyone who says he attended the said party to produce evidence.

The President has nothing to do with the Mdluli investigation; it is an internal matter within SAPS.

We wish to remind the media as well, that General Bheki Cele remains the National Commissioner of SAPS as appointed by the President. Reports about his replacement are unfounded.

Statement issued by Mac Maharaj, The Presidency, Pretoria, March 30 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter