Parliament’s portfolio committee on police has welcomed the axing of the long-suspended Crime Intelligence Boss, Richard Mdluli.
Mdluli’s departure was announced on Wednesday by Police Minister, Fikile Mbalula, who said that “by mutual consent”, Mdluli was “relieved of his duties with immediate effect”.
Mdluli, who is facing charges of kidnapping, has been on suspension for the past six years.
Mbalula said that he had instructed newly-appointed national police commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, to appoint a new divisional commissioner to replace Mdluli.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Francois Beukman said Mdluli's discharge will enable police management to appoint a permanent leader.
"The stability brought by the appointment of a permanent leader is essential if the unit is to add value in intelligence-driven policing," he said.
Beukman said the since the inception of the Committee it has questioned the continued gap in leadership caused by the lengthy suspension of the head of a critical unit such as Crime Intelligence.
"The long suspension of Richard Mdluli points to the challenge within civil service of long suspensions without the conclusion of disciplinary processes - yet receiving a salary and benefits. This systematic challenge is unacceptable and must be urgently attended to," he added.
Beukman said following the release of the annual crime statistics, the Committee reiterated the need for a move towards an intelligence-led policing and the hope is that the appointment of a replacement will aid the focus towards intelligence-led policing.
Beukman also said the Committee had noted the process outlined by the Minister to appoint the Head of the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) commonly known as the Hawks.
"The fight against corruption and organised crime need a talented individual with the necessary gravitas and leadership skills to ensure that the DPCI becomes more effective and professional," he said.
He said that the Portfolio Committee has also wanted more detail on the new structure of regional commissioners that were announced by the Minister.
"The Committee will need a comprehensive cost breakdown of the new structure and whether an extra management level will indeed bring value. If you have well-qualified cluster commanders and well trained and experience station commanders police stations must be able to perform," Beukman said
Beukman said the National Commissioner and his management team will appear before the Portfolio Committee on Police on the 1 February 2018 and will be engaged on the highlighted issues.
