PRETORIA – Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has been largely criticised for interfering with the business of police’s Crime Intelligence Unit and side-lining the acting National Commissioner Lesetja Mothiba.
It is reported that Mbalula is directly issuing instructions to the head of Crime Intelligence, sidestepping the acting national commissioner.
Despite Mothiba’s attempts to resist what have been described as irregular and unlawful instructions from the minister, Mbalula seems to have the final word and the unit now reports to him.
According to Mothiba, Mbalula’s interference is unlawful and can disrupt the operations of the unit.
Security and police analysts, former senior police officers and Crime Intelligence insiders also share Mothiba’s sentiments saying Mbalula has no right to offer any orders to the Crime Intelligence unit, adding that interfering with the unit breaks down the recognised chain of command within the police department.
Stats as reported by Eyewitness News reveal that Mbalula’s takeover of the Crime Intelligence unit is an attempt by the minister to stifle investigations made against him.
It is reported that Mbalula believes the unit is illegally spying on him and also carrying out a campaign to discredit him and as such, he has decided to take control and prevent any investigations made against him.
Reports also show that Mbalula wants some top officials in the unit to get sacked.
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