Zondo commission of inquiry cost R1bn — Mbalula
President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a commission of inquiry to look into allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against senior law enforcement officials, including police minister Senzo Mchunu, over alleged political interference in criminal cases.
Mchunu and deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya were placed on special leave pending the outcomes.
The move was criticised by the public and political parties, citing previous commissions that produced no arrests.
Mbalula said calls for immediate arrests or prosecutions without the process 'reflect disregard for constitutionalism and due process and would ironically mirror the very abuses of power we seek to correct'
'It must be understood that in a constitutional democracy, justice is not a spectacle. The separation of powers doctrine limits the executive's direct intervention in investigations or prosecutions.
'The demand for arrests, politically driven prosecutions, or trial by media undermines the foundation of the rule of law. South Africa's hard-won democracy does not permit leaders to act as judge, jury and executioner. Instead, the president has correctly entrusted independent institutions to do their work and has created an enabling environment for them to succeed.'
He called on the public and political parties to respect the process.
'The commission must be allowed to conduct its work thoroughly, independently and without fear or favour.
'The ANC views the settings of commissions of inquiry, while not a substitute for law enforcement, as essential instruments in the pursuit of justice, truth and reform, especially where systemic failure, conflict of interest or possible political interference has paralysed existing institutions.'
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