WHAT IS THE REAL REASON FOR JOHAN BOOYSEN’S NEW SUSPENSION?

Congress of the People wants to know from Minister Nhleko whether KwaZulu-Natal Head Johan Booysen is also on his way out.

It is disconcerting that the first item on Ntlemeza’s agenda after being appointed as head of the Hawks was to suspend Johan Booysen. Is this a further step to protect President Zuma?

If this suspension is once again challenged in court and the judge finds Ntlemeza to have used spurious grounds for this suspension, it will be egg on the face for Minister Nathi Nhleko.

Ntlemeza’s credibility is already in question and this raises serious doubt about his suitability to serve as head of the HAWKS.

Congress of the People wants Minister Nhleko to state categorically that Booysen's suspension will not hamper or stop the fraud and corruption investigation against Thoshen Panday who is a business partner of Edward Zuma.

Congress of the People remains very suspicious of this new suspension of Johan Booysen. The key question is whether being a partner of anyone in the President’s family confers immunity for that partner from prosecution through the axing of a police official brave enough to tackle such a partner with political connection. Is this the case here?

Issued by Dennis Bloem, COPE Spokesperson, 15 September 2015