The Mkhwanazi affair - some perspective is called for: Stef Terblanche
Key topics:
Mkhwanazi allegations reflect long-standing police corruption issues
Political interference hampers real police reform in South Africa
Calls for independent oversight of the SA Police Service grow
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By Stef Terblanche*
A bit of rational perspective is needed on this affair. It seems all the media and political noise around the Mkhwanazi allegations may be something of a case of much ado about nothing. Don’t get me wrong: they are extremely serious allegations and deserve the highest attention. But they really aren’t anything new. Besides, we have no idea who is lying, who is covering for themselves, and who is engaged in turf battles here or into which corners the tentacles of police criminality spread… and there are plenty of suggestions in this regard.
So why the feigned surprise and disgust? We have all known for many years that the national police service is rotten from the very top down – without anything being done. Humble apologies to those many men and women in blue who do try their very best to do their jobs and diligently serve the public. But in a police service run by criminals, they are fighting a losing battle. We have had a series of past police ministers and national commissioners – all ANC – who have in lesser or more serious manner found themselves on the wrong side of the law, mostly without any consequences except perhaps in the case of erstwhile National Commissioner Jackie Selebi who went to prison for his criminal racketeering activities. But that was in the Mandela/Mbeki era when the ANC still tried to uphold the rule of law; these days ANC leaders pay much lip service to the rule of law but don’t apply it. Will it be just another case of business as usual once the sensation value of Mkhwanazi’s allegations blow over and the new commission of inquiry grinds on into perhaps intended oblivion?
As a mere messenger, Mkhwanazi should not be the focus here; it should be on a complete overhaul of the SA Police Service and placing management control in independent hands beyond the abuse and manipulation of political parties. Most Western democracies don’t have a designated minister of police with such wide powers as here; mostly their interior ministers are also responsible for police or their criminal justice systems but only in a legally and regulatory facilitating manner and not in a direct control, operational or interventionist manner such as here. We also need a totally independent, non-political and suitably qualified body that can police the police. Corruption starts with too much unchecked power and when the line between politics and policing becomes too blurred. Unfortunately, President Ramaphosa’s commission of inquiry is not being asked to address this and the major problem will thus remain unresolved, and we will have more Mkhwanazi affairs and allegations in the future.
*Stef Terblanche is an Independent Political Analyst