EFF leader Julius Malema has hit back at KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, saying he is too sensitive and does not accept criticism, and expects people to only speak positively about him. Malema’s remarks follow Mkhwanazi’s testimony before a parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee earlier this month, where he claimed Malema had arranged a meeting between himself and suspended deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya in an attempt to broker peace.
Malema was not present at the committee session due to a bereavement, having taken leave to attend the funeral of a family member, Martha Motlanalo Malema. In an interview on The Clement Manyathela Show on Radio 702 on Thursday, he criticised Mkhwanazi, saying he behaved as though he could not be challenged. According to the South African Parliament website, the Ad Hoc Committee was established to investigate matters related to the police.
Mkhwanazi’s Testimony
Mkhwanazi had testified that he had been introduced to Malema through the head of police crime counterintelligence, Major General Feroz Khan. He also claimed that Malema had arranged a meeting between himself and Sibiya. Malema denied any wrongdoing and said politicians should not be intimidated by police. He also described Mkhwanazi’s tone before MPs as “condescending.”
Malema’s Response
Malema accused Mkhwanazi of unnecessarily dragging the EFF into matters unrelated to the party, particularly references to Khan’s attendance at an EFF event. “He throws the EFF into issues where it is not necessary,” Malema said. He added that Khan should instead have been commended for his work, including stopping corrupt officers from stealing drugs. Here are some key points from Malema’s response:
- Malema denied any wrongdoing and said politicians should not be intimidated by police.
- He accused Mkhwanazi of being overly sensitive and expecting people to only speak positively about him.
- Malema said he would address the allegations formally when he appears before the Ad Hoc Committee.
As reported by the South African Government website, the police commissioner is responsible for maintaining law and order in the country. Malema’s comments come at a time when the police service is under scrutiny for its handling of various cases, including the murder of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes.
