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Durban - Police Minister Nathi Nhleko has distanced himself from a damning draft forensic report that identified high-ranking KwaZulu-Natal police officers as having been allegedly bought off by businessman Thoshan Panday in exchange for millions in contracts and tenders.
On Wednesday, News24 published the contents of the secret forensic investigation for the first time.
The report named provincial police commissioner, Mmamonnye Ngobeni, and supply chain management unit officers, Naven Madhoe and Aswin Narainpershad, who had allegedly been showered with gifts from Panday valued at nearly R150 000.
At the same time, Panday was under investigation for a range of corruption charges, and allegedly banked millions of rands at an average profit rate of 200%.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has however withdrawn all charges against Panday, Madhoe and Narainpershad "in the interest of justice" and declined to prosecute Ngobeni.
Nhleko’s spokesperson Musa Zondi said the minister would not get involved in the matter.
McBride asked minister to intervene
"The Minister does not get involved in operational matters of the SAPS. Please refer to the SAPS Act. Operational matters reside in the purview of the national commissioner – acting or otherwise. Refer this query to that office,"he said.
Over and above media reports of the alleged unlawful conduct of the officers, suspended Independent Police Investigative Directorate boss, Robert McBride, wrote to Nhleko in January, pleading for him to intervene.
"There is sufficient admissible evidence obtained through witnesses that Ngobeni, Madhoe and Narainpershad have committed criminal acts that are punishable in a court of law," McBride reportedly wrote.
McBride had accused now suspended National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega of shielding the three after he had written to her to ask that they be suspended and charged.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi refused to comment on the contents of the exposé published by News24, saying it concerned the employer/employee relationship.
"I am glad you can understand this," he said, refusing to be drawn further.
