Max 'bullied by ANC'

2003-05-27 08:15

Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday accused the ANC of bullying Western Cape police commissioner Lennit Max into quitting his post because he was not a party supporter.

"He probably had to make way for a successor who fulfilled the ANC's criteria for 'transformation'," said Helen Zille, DA leader in the provincial legislature.

Max confirmed intense speculation about his imminent departure by announcing he intends to step down on Friday 30.

Western Cape community safety minister Leonard Ramatlakane strongly rejected Zille's allegations. "It is strange for the DA to make such claims. They must know more about Max's decisions that I do right now."

He decribed Max's exit as a surprise and said he had read about it in the papers. The provincial government would, however, take drastic temporary measures to ensure the Western Cape police were not left leaderless, he added.

At a special press conference at his office on Monday, Max emphasised he was not resigning, but taking early retirement. "There's a difference between resigning and retiring. When you resign you get nothing. When you retire there are certain financial advantages."

Although Max did not wish to elaborate on what these might be, he did let slip they would include a monthly allowance of between R13 000 and R30 000.

It's rumoured he will receive almost R20 000 a month, as well as a R2m lump sum payout.

Max said he'd decided to end his 25-year career for personal reasons.

"I decided to grasp opportunities I had been forced to refuse because of my position."

However, he was unable to quash rumours that he had been forced to go.

Successor

Insiders have speculated that the current head of the provincial crime information service Mzamdile Petrol would be appointed as Max's successor.

Ramatlakane said the post would be advertised, but in the meantime he would negotiate with safety and security minister Charles Nqakula for an urgent temporary replacement.

Future plans

Max refused to elaborate on future plans, but said they did not exclude a legal career.

Max, a qualified advocate and Cape Bar member, said a number of legal firms had already approached him with job offers. "It will become clear within the next two weeks what my future holds," said Max.

He said his early retirement was not connected with the resignation of one of his deputies, Zelda Holtzman - with whom he has clashed regularly in the past.

- Die Burger