|
SAPS 'won't act against top cop'
28/01/2008 13:23 - (SA)
Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane
Nelspruit - The South African Police Service (SAPS) will not suspend or otherwise act against Mpumalanga police commissioner Afrika Khumalo who has been implicated in international drug smuggling.
National police spokesperson Sally de Beer said the allegations against Khumalo were made in a statement to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) by self-confessed drug-baron Glen Agliotti, and not to the police.
"The affidavit was not made to the SAPS, nor has it been presented to the SAPS for investigation. No complaint has been lodged with the SAPS, on the basis of which any action could be contemplated," said De Beer. "(Only) when such affidavit is supplied to the SAPS, can a decision on further possible actions be considered."
Agliotti claimed that Khumalo extracted multi-million rand bribes from Mandrax and other crime syndicates, receiving at least one payment of one million rand in return for releasing an impounded shipment of contraband cigarettes.
Agliotti made the allegations in his statement implicating National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, in systematic corruption linked to organised crime.
Khumalo had promised to "frankly" respond to all the allegations at a scheduled press conference last Thursday, but cancelled it at the last minute and instead booked off work sick.
"The commissioner has not been feeling too good lately. He has been treated by a specialist, who booked him off work until next week. He is not prepared to release details about his sickness," said his spokesperson, Superintendent Sibongile Nkosi.
Nkosi refused to speculate when Khumalo might be strong enough to hold a press conference.
Notorious in the crime underworld
Agliotti's detailed statement claimed that Khumalo maintained close relations with supposed drug smuggler and former apartheid security agent, Carl "Calla" Botha, as well as with Selebi's former security expert, Paul Stemmet.
Agliotti insisted in a 21-page statement that Khumalo was notorious in the crime underworld for abusing his power as a police chief to confiscate illegal goods being smuggled into South Africa through the border town of Komatipoort, ranging from drugs to contraband cigarettes and alcohol.
The inflammatory allegations have sparked calls by opposition parties for Khumalo's immediate suspension.
The Democratic Alliance and Christian Party petitioned Mpumalanga safety and security MEC Fish Mahlalela to urgently place Khumalo on special leave, until the facts were established and he was either cleared or charged.
"Agliotti's claims are extremely damaging. We cannot ignore them, or try act as if nothing has been said. The government and the police both need to win back the confidence of our citizens, who are daily victims of crimes - many of which are linked to drugs or crime syndicates," said DA provincial spokesperson, Clive Hatch.
Mahlalela's spokesperson, Ntombenhle Khathwane, confirmed receipt of Hatch's letter but insisted that provincial government did not have jurisdiction over the SAPS.
"In fact, the MEC and the provincial commissioner are equal in rank. Only the national ministry can make a move in this regard," said Khathwane.
National safety and security minister Charles Nqakula's spokesperson, Trevor Bloem, disputed this, saying the constitution clearly gave provincial governments the authority to act against provincial police commissioners if they lost confidence in them.
|
News
