Barnard blows the whistle
Former Hawks boss has been warned his life is in danger, writes Kailene Pillay
DENIALS, threats of legal action and a crime intelligence probe. That has all followed since DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard made an explosive revelation in Parliament this week, alleging that former president Jacob Zuma, “dirty cops” and other senior ANC officials were involved in a plot to kill former Hawks head Johan Booysen.
Among the politicians mentioned as being party to the hit on Booysen are Zuma, Kwazulu-natal MEC Sihle Zikalala, Super Zuma, a member of the ANC’S provincial task team and former SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni.
Since the revelations, Myeni, Zikalala and Super Zuma denied any involvement and have sought legal advice.
Barnard, the DA’S spokesperson on police, said the alleged hit was brought to her attention a day before she was due to speak in Parliament.
“So great is the fear of General Booysen that a hit has allegedly been taken out on him. There is confirmation from three independent and reliable sources that MK Veterans from Cornubia near Phoenix in KZN have been taken on to do the job after meetings between none other than Zuma, Super Zuma and Zikalala,” said Barnard.
Just minutes after she revealed the names, Barnard said she received a call from someone who claimed to be calling on behalf of Zikalala to “confirm” that it was her who made the allegations.
“I don’t know who the man was but I said that it was me and he just said ‘thank you’ and cut the call,” Barnard said.
“Myeni is also implicated after she also met with MK Veterans. Indeed if General Booysen so much as stubs his toe we’ll know exactly where to look, won’t we?” Barnard said confidently in Parliament on Tuesday.
She has reported the hit to the police’s Crime Intelligence Unit and national police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo has confirmed the matter is being investigated.
Zuma’s nephew, Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma laughed off the claims and said the former president would not hurt a fly.
Responding, Myeni said: “I had no meeting with any one. I don’t even know Cornubia. I stay in Richards Bay.”
In an interview with the Sunday Tribune this week, Booysen said he was told a while ago that his life was in danger. Barnard also questioned why three KZN police officers still held their positions even though each were tainted with charges against them, namely Colonel (Navin) Madhoe, Captain (Ashwin) Narainpersad, arrested for corruption and Colonel (Rajen) Aiyer.