Soweto and Durban residents demand action in ‘Hands Off Mkhwanazi’ marches

As the streets of Durban became a backdrop for impassioned pleas for justice, Soweto residents and supporters of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi also took to the streets in support of the KZN police commissioner.

Marching from Thokoza Park to the Kliptown police station, the small group lamented the recent deaths of councillors and other activists whose murders have not been resolved, while crime continues to spiral out of control.

In Durban, supporters of Mkhwanazi marched from Curries Fountain to Hoy Park to deliver a memorandum, calling for the police commissioner's protection. 

This march followed his recent media briefing which has lifted the lid on alleged deep-rooted corruption within the SAPS.

Convenor of the Soweto march, Kgosi Maropeng, indicated that their cries are to ensure that Gauteng police deal with crime in the area.

"There have been many councillors and activists who have been killed here in Soweto. One of the councillors was shot and killed many years ago. Another councillor in Ward 130 was also killed three weeks ago, when he was shot and killed in his home.

"Till today, there have been no arrests. I want to ask the police here if it is only Mkhwanazi who is a policeman in this country," he stated.

Maropeng said illegal mining and drug syndicates have become a law unto themselves as they continue their operations in broad daylight while the police do nothing.

Maropeng added their memorandum was addressed to the district police commissioner, Nhlanhla Kubheka, concerning Mkhwanazi's recent revelations and Soweto's support of his stance to root out corruption in the police force.

"This memorandum is in support of KZN police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who has revealed corruption by senior officers in the SAPS, including the infiltration of the SAPS by drug cartels and key politicians. We are concerned that Mkhwanazi is under attack for exposing serious organised crime syndicates who have the potential to destroy the economy and the security of the country," he added.

Accepting the memorandum, acting station commander for Kliptown police station, Brigadier Mathe, said the police would endeavour to act on the demands by the community.

In Durban, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who signed and accepted the memorandum, called for society to allow the commission set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa time to do its work. 

"Let’s continue with our lives, but at the same time, let’s work with the police. Crime fighting will continue, not only in this province, but the rest of the country. This country belongs to all of us… Let’s be responsible, let’s wait for the process that has been announced by the president," Masemola said. 

Masemola said he had spoken to Mkhwanazi.

"He’s doing his work; he’s continuing, and the work goes on; day-to-day work goes on," Masemola said. 

Masemola noted it was unprecedented that the public showed this support for Mkhwanazi.

"What I can categorically say is that the political killings task team has been doing sterling work in the province that I’ve seen; I’ve supervised it, and for me, it’s something that should continue doing its work," Masemola said.

Vincent Mdunge of uMnotho Wabansundu Group said they have given the president 14 days to reply, and if he does not, they will mobilise and embark on a national protest. 

He said failure to meet their requests will compel them to escalate the matter to the Public Protector, Judicial Services Commission, parliamentary portfolio committee, and the Constitutional Court.

Mdunge said the memorandum is from the concerned members of civil society and the democratic watchdog organisations. 

He said they call for the immediate suspension of implicated officials in the sentiments raised by Mkhwanazi and the rejection of the compromised ministerial appointments.

Mdunge believed that the recently established commission of inquiry that was set up by Ramaphosa to investigate the allegations of corruption within the police force will not yield the desired results.

Cape Times