DA: Mthethwa not serious about crisis
2013-03-06 20:26
Cape Town - The police minister does not take the latest
crisis in the SA Police Service (SAPS) seriously as he was not in the National
Assembly on Wednesday to reply to questions, the DA said.
"This at a time when South Africa is reeling from
horrific reports of police brutality and an unchecked wave of sexual assault
against women and children," DA spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard said in
a statement.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa is on honeymoon until 12 March.
Kohler-Barnard said he was "conveniently missing
questions to the minister by six days".
His deputy Maggie Sotyu was on "an expensive trip to
New York" with Women, Children, and People with Disabilities Minister Lulu
Xingwana.
Kohler-Barnard said the DA would take the matter up with
National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu and the leader of government business,
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
"There is no excuse for this. Questions days are
scheduled well in advance, and the minister or his deputy should have made a
plan to attend."
This was the clearest indication yet that they had
completely misplaced priorities.
The SAPS was without leadership at a time when the public
was losing faith in its ability to protect them.
"In any other country experiencing such a crisis,
the minister of police would be back at home and in the House answering
questions. Minister Mthethwa has once again lived up to his title as an empty
suit," Kohler-Barnard said.
- SAPA
