The Financial Freedom Fighters (EFF) has welcomed the clearing of Kwazulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi by the Impartial Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), following a grievance that he interfered with the arrest of a senior Division of Correctional official’s arrest in 2023.
In March, IPID confirmed that they have been investigating Mkhwanazi and raised issues concerning the excessive stage of crime in KwaZulu-Natal. The general public and civil society teams closely criticised the police watchdog for seemingly focusing on Mkhwanazi, regardless of his crime-fighting efforts which have additionally thrust him into the highlight given the excessive variety of criminals murdered day by day by police within the province.
IPID WITHDRAWS PROBE AGAINST NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI
In an interview with Eyewitness Information, Mkhwanazi mentioned it was odd that IPID’s probe got here simply days after he cleared crime intelligence counter and safety head, Feroz Khan, throughout a disciplinary listening to in March.
Mkhwanazi maintained his innocence and accused IPID of focusing on him as a result of they did not get Khan out.
“They will strive no matter they’ll give you. They’ll do that investigation, they will launch some other investigation that they wish to, they have a constitutional proper to do this, I can’t cease them – however the fact will at all times come out,” he informed the publication.
Reacting to the information, the EFF mentioned this improvement affirms what they’ve lengthy maintained: that the allegations have been baseless and politically motivated, designed to derail a dedicated officer who has been unrelenting in his battle in opposition to crime and corruption.
The EFF reiterated its place that the grievance shaped a part of a broader witch hunt, orchestrated by forces inside the Ministry of Police and different compromised ingredient in regulation enforcement, who really feel threatened by Mkhwanazi’s refusal to bow to political strain.
“His principled management and fearless crackdown on felony networks has made him a goal for many who profit from the chaos and lawlessness plaguing KwaZulu-Natal.
“The try to smear his identify, primarily based on an nameless allegation that has now been quietly deserted, displays a harmful abuse of state establishments. It’s a tactic used to guard criminals by eradicating those that search to reveal them. This effort, allegedly led by a Minister who has repeatedly interfered in operational policing, have to be condemned by all who consider in justice and good governance,” the get together mentioned.
PARTY CALLS FOR MINISTER TO CEASE POLITICAL INTERFERENCE
The get together mentioned the contradictory posture of IPID, first demanding a response from Mkhwanazi and now clearing him with out complete readability, additional undermines confidence within the independence of the nation’s oversight establishments.
“It’s clear that there was by no means a authentic foundation for this investigation, and the withdrawal of the investigation is a step in the best path,” the Purple Berets mentioned.
The EFF additionally demanded that the Minister of Police “stop his political interference and his rising tendency of creating pronouncements on issues with out completely exploring their validity”.
“Regulation enforcement officers have to be allowed to do their work with out concern or favour. Commissioner Mkhwanazi have to be supported, not sabotaged,” the Purple Berets mentioned.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE IPID’S DECISION TO DROP THE PROBE AGAINST NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI?
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