NONE OF MY CHILDREN OR RELATIVES ARE EMPLOYED BY SAPS - MINISTER MTHETHWA

This is an ongoing campaign of peddling malicious and personal attacks aimed at discrediting him

PRETORIA - 20 April 2012.  The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa has noted the ongoing media campaign aimed at discrediting him.  The recent malicious allegations relate to his children being employed within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Last week, the Citizen newspaper published an article in which it was alleged that Lieutenant General Richard Mdluli had hired two sons of the Minister as covert police crime intelligence agents.  The persons alleged to be his children are one, LS Mthethwa and T Ngubane.  In the same article, Mr Ngubane is quoted as saying that he is the Minister's nephew.

The Citizen article is untrue, subjective and without any foundation whatsoever.  Minister Mthethwa or his spokesperson were not contacted or asked for comment on the veracity of the claims made in the article, which have now been paraded as the truth.  That is why the Minister has already lodged a formal complaint with the Press Ombudsman.

On Wednesday this week, the Mail & Guardian newspaper also contacted the Minister with similar questions, stating: "the Mail & Guardian also believes that two other relatives of the Minister - Charity Mthethwa, who was appointed as a Captain and BN Mthethwa - were appointed to SAPS."

Again, the Minister yesterday responded to Mail & Guardian to reiterate that none of his children or relatives has been employed by SAPS; furthermore that he does not have any adopted child. 

Yesterday, the City Press newspaper enquired about the same issue, sent through a set of questions to the Minister.  He has accordingly reiterated and providedCity Press with the same response: none his relatives have been employed and work within SAPS.  

The Minister has noted this ongoing campaign of peddling malicious and personal attacks aimed at discrediting him.  However out of respect for the current investigation by the Auditor General specifically into the allegations around the misuse of state funds; which he personally requested, he will not be making any public commentary pending the finalisation of the investigation. 

Statement issued by Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Police, April 20 2012

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