MK Party MP Des van Rooyen has called for enhanced protection for parliamentarians serving on the ad hoc committee investigating alleged corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
His remarks came on Thursday outside Cape Town Police Station, where the party opened a criminal case against one of the inquiry’s witnesses, Mary de Haas.
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The MK Party accuses De Haas of misleading the committee by allegedly misrepresenting her academic qualifications and creating the impression that she holds a doctoral degree. De Haas appeared before the committee last week.
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Although no direct threats to MPs have been confirmed, Van Rooyen insists Parliament is failing to take the safety of committee members seriously.
He said the SAPS could not be relied upon to provide adequate protection, adding, “It’s the very same SAPS; senior officers of SAPS are implicated in this matter. So we are calling for a special security provision dispensation to cater for all the members of the ad hoc committee.”
Concerns Intensify as Committee Questions Key Witness at Prison Facility
The ad hoc committee is currently sitting at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where it is questioning businessman Vusimuzi Matlala, who is awaiting trial on attempted murder charges.
Van Rooyen also referred to an alleged threatening text message sent to another witness, Cedric Nkabinde, last week as further justification for the need to bolster security around MPs involved in the inquiry.
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On Thursday, the MK Party filed another complaint—this time against forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan. They allege he sent the threatening message to the chief of staff of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
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“It was clear from the word go that they would be dealing with sophisticated criminal syndicates. For them to just be left on their own or to normal processes of provision of security by Parliament is not adequate,” Van Rooyen said.
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