Where are the KZN Police commission findings?
THE Democratic Alliance believes the time has come for KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial government to come clean on the outcome of the commission of inquiry into police inefficiency and ineffectiveness.
The commission was instituted by erstwhile former KZN MEC for safety and security and current police chief, Bheki Cele(pictured left). The DA is in possession of documents which show that a considerable amount of taxpayers’ money was expended on the commission with no tangible results or final report being released. The commission was proclaimed by government gazette in 2005 and to date no final report into the commission’s findings has been released. This is a ridiculous situation, especially considering the amount of public money spent on the commission which the DA conservatively estimates to be in the region of some R7 billion.
The DA has submitted a comprehensive set of questions *(full question follows below) relating to the commission and has requested newly appointed KZN safety and security MEC, Willies Mchunu, to reveal the outcome of the commission and whether a final report of the commission has been published as well as a detailed breakdown of all costs associated with this commission. It appears that the department of safety and community liaison is also ducking for cover on this issue. As a department they were directly responsible for all aspects relating to the commission.
The DA rejects former MEC Bheki Cele's statement to a Sunday newspaper that the commissions work had been "satisfactorily completed" and that the report was not being made public because of "sensitive criminal investigations". This is nonsensical to say the least, especially when the commissions work was supposed to have been completed in 2006. Does Cele honestly expect us to believe that three full years later these investigations are still ongoing and at a sensitive stage? In light of the current circumstances surrounding the commission, and the failure of the department to account for the findings of the commission, the DA believes that the commission was nothing more than a whimsical political boondoggle undertaken by Cele and his department at great cost to the public purse.
The DA will continue to pursue this matter in the legislature and will not rest until a full account of the commission, its work, the findings and ultimate cost has been undertaken.
*
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
NAME OF MEMBER PUTTING QUESTION: MR JOHN STEENHUISEN (DA)
QUESTION ADDRESSED TO THE MEC OF TRANSPORT COMMUNITY SAFETY & LIAISON
QUESTION
For Written Response
With regard to the commission of enquiry into alleged police inefficiency and ineffectiveness promulgated in the provincial gazette number 6330 on Friday 04 March 2005:
- Has the commission completed and submitted a final report of its findings, if not why not?
- If yes, on what date was this final report received, where is this report and when will such final report be furnished to the legislature and made public?
- What was the total cost of the commission of enquiry?
- What was the total amount paid to each of the commissioners broken down per commissioner?
- Please provide a detailed breakdown of all claims made by the chairperson, commissioners, investigators, evidence leader and commission staff in terms of the following;
ii. Subsistence
iii. Vehicle hire
iv. Re-imbursements for private vehicle use
v. Telephone costs
vi. Meals
vii. Office accommodation
viii. Office equipment
- What was the cost in terms of salaries and other benefits for the commission secretary and the two temporary staff?
- Have all commissioners complied with section 1.5 of the memorandum of agreement entered into with the department, if not why not?
Speaker must stand down until court case is concluded
The Democratic Alliance has noted with grave concern the latest appearance of the speaker of the KZN provincial legislature, Peggy Nkonyeni, in the dock of the Pietermaritzburg high court on charges of corruption. Most concerning is the fact that it appears that additional charges will be forthcoming as a result of fresh evidence brought to light. The DA repeats its view that it was most irresponsible for the ANC to have appointed Nkonyeni to the office of speaker of the KZN legislature whilst she was still facing such serious charges. As the political head of the KZN legislature, the appearance of Nkonyeni in the dock has sullied the entire legislature and runs the real risk of bringing the legislature into disrepute. The office of speaker is an important one and the incumbent should posess morals and values which are beyond reproach. The DA further wishes to establish whether the hotel accomodation at the Steenberg boutique hotel which was allegedly taken up by Nkonyeni was ever declared by Nkonyeni in the members interest register of the legislature. We will be tabling formal questions in this regard as a failure to declare these hotel stays would amount to a serious breach of the rules governing gifts and donations. The DA calls on Premier Zweli Mkhize and the ANC to do the responsible thing and request Peggy Nkonyeni to step aside from her official duties until the court has reached a verdict in this matter. The deputy speaker should be requested to perform the functions of the speaker until such time as the criminal case is concluded. This would be the responsible way to proceed and will go a long way to restore public confidence and protect the good name of the KZN legislature and its members.
Issued by: John Steenhuisen MPL, Democratic Alliance Caucus Leader KZN Provincial Legislature - 083 6573864
Issued by: John Steenhuisen MPL, Democratic Alliance Caucus Leader KZN Provincial Legislature - 083 6573864