Latest news with #R415
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Senzo Mchunu investigation will take longer to finalise, says Public Protector
Mchunu has denied allegations made against him by Mkhwanazi. The political pressure on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has intensified ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's address on Sunday. The Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) has launched an investigation into allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Mchunu on Sunday. He accused Mchunu, among others, of corruption and collusion with criminal networks. Mkhwanazi allegations against Mchunu Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu has links to controversial figures Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and Oupa 'Brown' Mogotsi. Matlala was awarded a R360 million Saps health services tender last year, which was later terminated. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa to address nation following allegations by Mkhwanazi Matlala, who was arrested recently for attempted murder, will appear in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court today for the case. According to Mkhwanazi, both men played a role in persuading Mchunu to disband the political killings task team after it uncovered connections between the police, a drug syndicate, and members of the judiciary. The task team was established by Ramaphosa in 2018 due to the escalation of politically related incidents in KwaZulu-Natal. Since its inception on 5 July 2018, it has dealt with at least 333 dockets of cases, including 134 cases that were reported between 2011 and June 2018, prior to its commencement. Other cases include 171 murders, 50 attempted murders, 79 intimidation, 9 conspiracy to commit murder and 24 other cases. ALSO READ: Charges laid against Mchunu as pressure mounts on Ramaphosa to act amid national security concerns At least R415 million has been spent on the team since 2018. Mchunu issued a directive to the national commissioner regarding the disestablishment of the team. It will transition into the Murder and Robbery Unit within the Saps. Mchunu has denied allegations made against him by Mkhwanazi. Investigation scope On Thursday, the PPSA confirmed its investigation into Mchunu, as requested by the African Transformation Movement (ATM). 'In line with section 3(1) of EMEA, which provides that the Public Protector must investigate any alleged breach of the code of ethics on receipt of a complaint contemplated in section 4, you are hereby advised that the Public Protector has initiated an investigation into the allegations you have raised,' said the office. ALSO READ: Mchunu denies ties to Cat Matlala, as tenderpreneur bust with cellphone in prison The party laid at least four complaints against Mchunu, including allegations of enabling interference by outside parties in Saps operations, irregularly disbanding the Political Killings Task Team, unduly delaying and derailing investigations, and a conflict of interest in the awarding of a R360 million Saps contract to Matlala. However, the Public Protector cautioned that the investigation into the matter would not be finalised within 30 days, 'due to the number of issues raised in your complaint.' 'The Public Protector will therefore submit a report when the investigation has been finalised. 'We commit, in the circumstances, to make every effort to expedite the finalisation of the investigation and will accordingly continue to keep you apprised of the progress thereof.' READ NEXT: Political killings task team 'nothing more than a terror group', millions spent on it 'disgraceful'
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘We're bleeding but not finished': Motshekga defends struggling air force
While admitting the South African Air Force is in decline, Motshekga assured Parliament that steps are being taken to repair aircraft and stabilise capacity. Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga says South African skies are protected despite the challenges facing the South African Air Force (SAAF). The minister was addressing the National Council of Provinces during the Peace and Security cluster question-and-answer session on Tuesday, where she was grilled about the operational readiness of the SAAF – among other defence-related issues. 'Sleep peacefully' 'You can sleep peacefully; your skies are safe, and we'll be able to do any obligations internally that we need to do for the safety of our country,' Motshekga said. This was in response to FF Plus member Tamarin Breedt's question about the extent to which the current state of affairs in the national air force is affecting South Africa's ability to meet its international and regional obligations. Grounded planes and lack of funding Motshekga had earlier admitted the SAAF is currently experiencing challenges, including grounded planes and lack of adequate funding. She said her department is engaging with Treasury and the Presidency to make sure they can salvage what the force already has. 'We have a number of planes that are off, but we also have a number of planes that have gone for servicing. So, we are struggling with the air force; we're bleeding, but we're not finished,' Motshekga said. She said the air force's ability to fly helicopters to areas affected by the recent floods was indicative of its capabilities and capacity, although not up to the desired level. ALSO READ: Why South Africa can't defend itself anymore The department is doing everything in its power to stop the decline of the SAAF from continuing, Motshekga said. 'We are in the process of procuring other capabilities, repairing capabilities, so there is progress and there is a process to make sure that we can arrest the decline…' VIP fleet spending DA member Nicholas Gotsell asked the minister why the department is prioritising the R415 million that is needed to maintain the presidential aircraft and the Falcon fleet used by VIPs, while key air defence transport remains grounded. In response, Motshekga said it's disingenuous to compare the capabilities of the SAAF to the capacity of the president's travelling means. Because it means we have to ground the president and get him [to fly] commercial,' Motshekga said. She declined to entertain Breedt's suggestion that President Cyril Ramaphosa must fly commercial 'like the rest of us do and like I believe he used to do in 2018 and 2019'. Motshekga said just as she and Breedt don't take buses to meetings, Ramaphosa will not be flying commercial. Measures for maintenance backlog With regard to measures put in place to minimise the maintenance backlog, the minister emphasised that the department has prioritised fixing and servicing the current aircraft before procuring new ones, which are going to be extremely expensive. 'We are looking at different means to get more money to ramp up the performance,' Motshekga said. NOW READ: SANDF troops return home from DRC after delay from logistical snag
