Mbalula slams revenge claim

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, pictured, has slammed claims that he has seized control of crime intelligence against the wishes of the acting national police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba, saying the constitution provides for him to make directives.

In Pretoria yesterday, Mbalula refuted recent media reports that he allegedly instructed the acting divisional commissioner of crime intelligence, Bhoyi Ngcobo, to take action against the crime intelligence unit.

According to the reports, Mbalula was retaliating after allegedly receiving information that crime intelligence operatives were spying on him.

Citing the constitution, he said the minister of police was required to “direct police, draft policing policies, oversee, monitor and supervise all members and the organisation’s leadership and performance”.

“I, as minister of police, am not a mere observer, but an executive authority beyond the development of policy.

“Also, I am empowered by the constitution to direct the successful implementation of policy.”

Earlier this week, it was reported that Mbalula ordered Ngcobo to overturn the promotion of several operatives he suspected had spied on him.

But Mbalula said he had approved the promotions of 4 800 constables to the rank of sergeants.

A new national police commissioner and head of Hawks will soon be appointed.

“The president is on the verge of finalising the appointment of the new national police commissioner. I am also on the verge of appointing the head of [the Hawks]. In this regard, we are aware of the pending Constitutional Court challenge by Major-General [Berning] Ntlemeza and are duly advised that this matter remains without merits.”

Regarding an image that has gone viral of Mbalula with a group of men said to be crime intelligence operatives allocated to work specifically for him, he said: “I can’t reveal my security details to the country, but that is hogwash.

“It’s a lie. There is no such thing. Those people in the photo are police officers from Cape Town during a drug bust in Soweto, because the drugs are transported to Cape Town from here.

“It’s a well-known operation of Western Cape Intelligence.”