HUMAN Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale yesterday vowed to continue his lawsuit against reinstated crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli, who last year listed him among people plotting to remove President Jacob Zuma. The lifting of Lt-Gen Mdluli’s suspension appears to have caused ructions in the police, with acting commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said to be considering tendering his resignation to President Jacob Zuma.
Many people are concerned that this move is an example of political interference, with crime intelligence services being used to consolidate political positions. Lt-Gen Mdluli’s suspension was lifted and corruption charges against him have been withdrawn. He was suspended last May after murder charges were laid against him. Following this, fresh charges relating to fraud and corruption in the abuse of crime intelligence funds were levelled at both Lt-Gen Mdluli and finance head Maj-Gen Solly Lazarus, but these have been provisionally withdrawn.
Mr Sexwale yesterday said: "The removal of this matter from the court does not change anything in respect of the false and fabricated allegations." He would continue to pursue the matter in which Lt-Gen Mdluli accused him of plotting to overthrow Mr Zuma. His lawyer, Lesley Mkhabela, last night said they had asked the police ministry to furnish them with the report about the plot. They would stop at nothing in an attempt to clear Mr Sexwale’s name, he said.
Controlling intelligence operations is a crucial element in the African National Congress (ANC) succession race. Mr Zuma’s ability to obtain and use intelligence information was key when he defeated former president Thabo Mbeki in the Polokwane succession battle in 2007. Corruption charges against Mr Zuma were dropped in 2009, mainly because of questionably obtained intelligence tapes his legal team presented to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). However, the high court will reconsider the matter, after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled last month that the Democratic Alliance could initiate a review of the NPA decision to drop the corruption charges. Prominent civic bodies and nongovernmental organisations are considering ways to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lt-Gen Mdluli’s lifted suspension and why criminal charges against him were not pursued.
The FW de Klerk Foundation last month made a presentation to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, asking her to investigate Lt-Gen Mdluli’s provisionally withdrawn criminal charges. Foundation CEO David Steward yesterday said they were waiting to find out if Ms Madonsela would investigate the matter. If she did not, they would consider other legal options, he said. Following reports yesterday that Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi could resign, presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said he was unaware of a scheduled meeting with the president.
Police spokesman Brig Lindela Mashigo said he could not comment on a report in the City Press that Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi intended meeting Mr Zuma to tender his resignation. He said Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi would remain acting police commissioner despite media reports of his imminent resignation. He also declined to comment on reports that Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi objected to the reinstatement of Lt-Gen Mdluli and Maj-Gen Lazarus. On Friday, the Presidency denied that Mr Zuma had interfered with a corruption investigation into Lt-Gen Mdluli’s affairs or his reinstatement, and said it was an internal police matter.
Source: Business Day
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