Mdluli's security clearance expires

2012-05-30 20:24

Cape Town - Suspended former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli's security clearance has lapsed, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Wednesday.

Responding to a parliamentary question, he confirmed that both Mdluli's clearance and that of crime intelligence finance chief Solly Lazarus had expired.

The two were in the process of applying for their clearance to be renewed, he said.

Neither the police ministry nor the department responded immediately to queries on when their clearance lapsed.

Democratic Alliance MP Dianne Kohler Barnard said Mthethwa should explain how the government could have placed its VIP protection services under the control of crime intelligence after Mdluli was reinstated at the head of that unit in March.

"Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa must explain why and how the president and senior politicians were placed at risk by allowing Mdluli to absorb the VIP Protection Services of the SA Police Service and place it under his wing in crime intelligence," she said.

"It is unfathomable that a man, without passing the necessary security tests, is allowed to oversee and control the police officers guarding the president, ministers and premiers when he himself is not allowed to go anywhere near them."

Earlier this month, Mthethwa moved Mdluli from crime intelligence to a position in the office of deputy national police commissioner for operations Fannie Masemola.

He also formed a task team headed by the state law adviser to investigate claims by Mdluli that he was the victim of a political conspiracy.

At the weekend, acting national police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi announced that he had suspended Mdluli.

His spokespersonLindela Mashigo said Mdluli's suspension was motivated by "serious allegations" against Mdluli that emerged from the court inquest into the death of his love rival Oupa Ramogibe.

The New Age daily reported on Thursday that Mdluli's second suspension may be halted and reviewed.

Kohler-Barnard said this raised fresh concern that Mdluli enjoyed political protection.

"The suspension is the result of courageous action by Acting National Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in alleged defiance of the whims of the executive. Who is protecting Richard Mdluli, and why?"

Last year, Mdluli faced fraud and corruption charges relating to alleged misuse of a secret crime intelligence fund to buy luxury vehicles, and hiring family members, and a murder relating to Ramogibe's death.

All the charges were withdrawn before he was reinstated as head of crime intelligence.

- SAPA