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South African police officers at work.
The South African Policing Union (SAPU) is allegedly blaming political interference in the appointment of a provincial police commissioner in North West. The Union’s allegations come as the South African Police Service (SAPS) is in the spotlight in recent weeks.
This follows revelations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of high-level political interference.
Accordingly, the position for the provincial head of police became vacant after former Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Sello Kwena retired in December last year. Currently, the deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Patrick Asaneng acts in the position.
The SABC has reliably learnt that there were more than five candidates, who were interviewed for the position in February this year, including the acting provincial commissioner Major General Patrick Asaneng and more than five months later, a successful candidate is yet to be appointed.
This has led to SAPU, insinuating political meddling from the Community Safety MEC Wessels Morweng, who was part of the panel that interviewed the candidates.
“The reason we are saying something like that is that the process of an interview is that the police initiate an interview and hold an interview. But in the process of an interview the MEC is there to look at the process to be fair and then after that, they must concur with number one as per the interview process, and then therefore, the number one candidate must be appointed. So, in this case we are still waiting for them to confirm that number one is number one so they are delaying; we don’t know why. That’s why we are saying the politics are killing the policing,” The union’s secretary in the province, Tlou Mpheroane elaborates.
However, the spokesperson for the MEC, Charles Matlou refuted claims that Morweng is interfering.
“He was invited to be part of the panel, but the truth of the matter is that it’s the competency of national leadership in terms of appointments of provincial commissioners. So, there is no way that the MEC can influence the decision. He was just invited on the basis that he is playing an oversight role in terms of the police within the province, which is North West. But let’s just dispel those rumours or those lies, it is not possible. The MEC is also awaiting the final results or the finality of this matter,” explains Matlou.
In a written response, the police’s national spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the appointment is at an advanced stage, and the appointee will be announced soon.
Accordingly, the same response was given to the North West provincial legislature when they inquired about the delays in the matter in May this year. The legislature portfolio committee on community safety, chairperson, Freddy Sonakile explains:
“We were told that it’s in the process and they were in the final stages of appointments. So it’s concerning that it’s now two months since they were on the final stages that the post is still not filled. So, something is definitely sinister and must be looked into. Honestly there is really no excuse to say why are you not filling the post because you said that you shortlisted men and women who are fit and proper and one of them must emerge at the end of the day. So, we really need to dig deeper to check what is happening,” says Sonakile.
The North West portfolio committee on Community Safety promised to convene a meeting with the police top brass to follow up on the matter.
