SAPS lease scandal: DA asks Public Protector to probe Police Minister's alleged involvement
Reports today indicate that suspended acting Director General of the Department of Public Works, Sam Vukela, has performed a U-turn regarding his explanation of the controversial South African Police Service (SAPS) lease deal, and has now accused Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa of "rushing through the deal" (see City Press report).
I will therefore be writing to the Public Protector immediately to request that her office revisit the SAPS lease deal saga and, in particular, probe Mthethwa's alleged direct involvement in the controversy.
Minister Mthethwa, amid great fanfare, in the Portfolio Committee on Police this week, talked tough on corruption and criminality within SAPS senior management.
It is only fitting that the Minister himself be given an opportunity to clear up the confusion about his involvement in the deal, particularly in the light of continued speculation about the political connections of property tycoon Roux Shabangu. A further investigation by the Public Protector will do just that.
Initially, Vukela blamed former National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele and his officials for the botched lease deal. However, in an affidavit filed with the North Gauteng High Court this week, he emphasised the roles played by Mthethwa and former Minister of Public Works, Geoff Doidge.
Vukela's statements also call into question the role of axed Minister of Public Works, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, who was sacked from cabinet following the Public Protector's findings regarding the deals. Vukela's new affidavit states that Mahlangu-Nkabinde instructed him not to include information in his initial affidavit which would "gainsay" the Public Protector's findings.
This chapter in the SAPS history has dragged on for too long and continues to taint the reputation of the SAPS and its senior managers. South Africans now deserve finality on this issue.
Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, December 4 2011
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