Nokwanda Dlangamandla | kzn@radioislam.org.za
2 min read | 01:45 PM (CAT)

Photo Credit: Radio Islam

Investigations into the SAPS bulletproof vest tender controversy currently focus on KwaZulu-Natal Police Chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.

According to a Sunday World article earlier this month, the Investigating Directorate of the National Prosecuting Authority is looking into Masemola and Mkhwanazi. They are allegedly receiving expensive gifts from businessman Inbanatan Kistiah, including designer bags by Louis Vuitton.

It is alleged that the Kistiah Company reportedly received about R6.7 million in 2016 to provide 200 vests for ballistic testing.

The businessman is being prosecuted on criminal charges relating to acquiring phone encryption software and a social media monitoring tool in two transactions totalling R54 million, indicted along with former senior criminal intelligence officials and one of Masemola’s predecessors, Khomotso Phahlane.

On Monday, Masemola responded that an investigation was being conducted when questioned about the situation.

An independent consultant in the Institute for Security Studies Crime and Justice Program, Dr Johan Burger, spoke with Radio Islam International about the continuing inquiry involving Masemola and Mkhwanazi and the state of policing in South Africa.

Burger criticised the two senior police officers implicated in the scandal in question with the utmost dismay.

He claimed that the incident negatively impacted the South African police force and caused the populace to lose faith in the institution.

He said if Masemola and Mkhwanazi were to be found guilty of the allegations hanging over their heads, that would deepen the crisis facing the SAPS of senior officers behaving disgracefully.

Additionally, he claimed that controversies involving senior cops are becoming more frequent, crippling the nation’s policing system.

Burger emphasised that there are valid reasons for looking into whether these accusations are true, and he expressed optimism that the probe will produce helpful information.

Listen to the interview with Institute for Security Studies Crime and Justice Program, Dr Johan Burger, hosted by Mufti Yusuf Moosagie on Your World Today.