Mkhwanazi’s claims are a ticking time bomb: Meshoe

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) MP Kenneth Meshoe says it’s very sad that South Africans no longer trust the police, but trust KwaZulu- Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

He says the claims made by Mkhwanazi are a ticking time bomb.

Meshoe was speaking during the joint meeting of the portfolio committees on Police and Justice and Constitutional Development, to deliberate on the allegations made by Mkhwanazi that criminal syndicates have infiltrated law enforcement and the higher echelons of power.

Meshoe says the public is angry and wants answers.

“I also want to plead with Parliament to take the warnings about sitting on that time bomb seriously. I won’t be surprised if within six months we don’t see trouble in the country. People are angry. It is a fact. And when you see crowds in the streets protesting saying hands off General Mkhwanazi, one cannot underestimate the fact that something could be brewing. We do not want to find ourselves in a space where there’s fire in the country and people say you were warned, but you did not listen to what people were saying,” says Meshoe.

Meanwhile, the ANC in Gauteng says government officials and leaders linked to the allegations made by Mkhwanazi should be arrested and charged.

Speaking during a media briefing in Johannesburg, the party’s Provincial Task Team Coordinator, Hope Papo says they fully support President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to establish a commission of inquiry into Mkhwanazi’s allegations.

One of Mkhwanazi’s allegations is that a drug syndicate operating in Gauteng has infiltrated the judiciary, SAPS and the Metro police.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has since been placed on special leave as well as the Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, General Shadrack Sibiya.

Papo says once evidence has been provided, the law must take its cause.

“Remember Gauteng has been closing some of the drug factories, even before Mkhwanazi has announced. There are a number of so-called factories, which were impounded by the police in Gauteng. If there are more, our view is that they must be closed. Those that are involved in those factories, they must be arrested, charged and sentenced to jail, that’s our position. Even whatever he has mentioned, if it’s there and he’s going to provide evidence, that factory must be closed and those associated with it must actually be arrested. That includes the syndicate operating, any official, any leader who’s associated with criminality, the law must take its cause. They’re clearly not sent by the ANC, or any government department to do that,” says Papo.

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