EDITORIAL: Mbalula needs full-time chiefs
The crime intelligence division of the South African Police Service has been a mess for more than a decade
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has never been shy about publicity. Indeed, at many of his frequent media conferences, it is difficult to get him to stop speaking. For this reason, the news that he has ordered a massive shake-up of the crime intelligence division of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and has done so in secret, has raised questions about his motivation. Crime intelligence has been a mess for more than a decade since the suspension on serious charges including murder of Richard Mdluli as its head. He remains suspended on full pay and has not yet had his day in court. The division as a whole remains under a cloud of allegations that its R700m budget for covert operations has often been used for corrupt activities or the illegal surveillance of the government’s opponents. While the division may be in need of serious reorganisation, arguably Mbalula’s most important tasks are finding a new permanent national commissioner and a new permanent head of crime intelligence...
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