Mbalula shakes up SAPS
POLICE Minister Fikile Mbalula has instructed national police commissioner General Khehla Sitole to appoint a new divisional commissioner following the removal of Richard Mdluli with immediate effect.
“I wish to announce that Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli, who held the position of divisional commissioner, will be relieved from his duties. CI (Crime Intelligence) has seen 12 acting divisional commissioners and this alarmed me greatly when I resumed my duties at the police. It’s now fixed,” Mbalula tweeted.
“I have instructed General Sitole to henceforth set out to appoint a fit and proper man or woman into the position without further delay. Again, I am saying we have no time to waste.”
In 2011, Mdluli was suspended as head of crime intelligence, but he has drawn his full salary and bonuses since then, while the position had been filled only in an acting capacity.
Mdluli and co-accused, former police officer Mthembeni Mthunzi, are facing charges of intimidation, kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice for a 15-year-old case relating to the 1999 kidnapping and murder of Oupa Ramogibe.
Ramogibe allegedly received death threats after marrying Mdluli’s ex-girlfriend. He was warned to leave her or he would be killed.
Ramogibe had reported the threats to the police before he was killed. A case of attempted murder had been opened by the police.
In November 2012, an inquest into the killing of Ramogibe cleared Mdluli of any involvement in the murder.
The charges of kidnapping and assault relate to allegations that he intimidated and assaulted the family and friends of his ex-girlfriend to find out where she had moved to when she got married.
The chairperson of Parliament’s portfolio committee on police, Francois Beukman, welcomed Mbalula’s announcement.
“Lieutenant-General Mdluli’s discharge will enable police management to appoint a permanent leader with the requisite skills, energy and innovative plans to guide division to deliver on its mandate.
“The stability brought by the appointment of a permanent leader is essential if the unit is to add value in intelligence-driven policing,” he said.
He said the committee has long been worried about the leadership vacuum in a key position, as well as Mduli’s lengthy suspension with full benefits.
DA MP Zakele Mbhele said: “The DA welcomes the announcement by Police Minister Fikile Mbalula that suspended head of crime intelligence Richard Mdluli has finally been fired after being on a seven-year suspension.”