New crime boss claims nonsense, say police

POLICE have rubbished questions about the qualifications of new acting head of police crime intelligence Major-General King Bhoyi Ngcobo‚ saying he comes with a wealth of policing experience.

As the head of VIP protection services, Ngcobo has overseen the protection of President Jacob Zuma and his cabinet. He is also said to be a close confidant of Zuma.

The DA’s shadow minister of police‚ Zakhele Mbhele‚ described Ngcobo’s appointment as shocking. “We condemn Ngcobo’s appointment in the strongest terms.

“For one of Zuma’s most trusted bodyguards to be elevated to lead South African crime intelligence shows just how far Zuma’s web of state capture continues to spread.”

After six years of musical chairs at crime intelligence, the police have yet to employ a competent and untainted permanent replacement for the suspended Richard Mdluli.

This week, the police announced the removal of MajorGeneral Pat Mokushane‚ whose appointment as acting head was shrouded in controversy after it emerged he had been appointed without the proper security clearances.

Earlier this year, Ngcobo’s matric certificate was questioned‚ with City Press reporting in February that it was fake.

However‚ in May police tried to dispel questions over his matric‚ with national spokeswoman Brigadier Sally de Beer saying his qualifications had been verified by the South African Qualifications Authority.

Yesterday, police spokesman Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said Ngcobo came into crime intelligence with a wealth of policing experience after more than 20 years in the police and was perfectly fitted to the job. –