SA Police Service crime intelligence unit head Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli is to be "shifted" from his current position immediately, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Wednesday.
Mdluli would be moved to another position as determined by acting national commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, he told the National Assembly during debate on his budget vote.
Mthethwa said he had noted the "recent utterances, public discussions, and at times misrepresentation and misunderstanding" of SAPS processes by some in society, particularly in relation to the crucial crime intelligence division.
Allegations of mismanagement of funds and nepotism were levelled against Mdluli.
The Inspector General of Intelligence had oversight of crime intelligence's financial management.
"As part of her mandate, she is further able to look into any other issue that may arise in the course of this investigation. And contrary to what the media is saying, this investigation is still in process. We are not going to be subjected to any public, analysts' or media courts," Mthethwa said.
There had been unfortunate public accusations and counter-accusations within SAPS management. What seemed to have sparked this was a widely-reported letter, which Mdluli was reported to have written to, among others, Mthethwa as police minister.
"This letter seems to have political connotations and has caused tensions within the management of the SAPS.
"It alludes to some conspiracy theory, of some in management ganging up against him. I have instituted a task team, led by the state law adviser to investigate such allegations, because they are so serious as to suggest the meddling of policing functions in politics."
While this probe was underway, he had, in consultation with the acting national commissioner, decided that Mdluli should be shifted from his current position "with effect today" [Wednesday], as the head of crime intelligence and moved to another division, as determined by the Mkhwanazi.
To this end, Mdluli had been informed of the decision and had pledged his support to the process.
"We shall therefore allow and observe this process to be carried through without any undue interference," Mthethwa said.
Sapa
