The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) secretary-general, Marshal Dlamini, says KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is not the enemy of the party and will continue to receive their support, as long as he sticks to his duties as a law enforcer.
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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) secretary-general, Marshal Dlamini, says KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is not the enemy of the party and will continue to receive their support, as long as he sticks to his duties as a law enforcer.
Speaking on SABC’s Face the Nation, Dlamini stressed that Mkhwanazi should act in his official capacity and not make statements resembling political commentary.
This follows EFF leader Julius Malema criticising Mkhwanazi for involving himself in internal police disputes, particularly with General Feroz Khan, the head of police crime counterintelligence.
The EFF have previously been among Mkhwanazi's most vocal supporters when the KZN police boss first exposed alleged malfeasance in the law enforcement and the criminal justice system that led to the establishment of the Madlanga Commission.
Speaking at the party’s National Voter Registration Launch at Ghandi Square in Johannesburg, Malema said Mkhwanazi was dragging the EFF into conflicts unrelated to the party.
“Mkhwanazi is fighting General Khan, and every time he fights General Khan, he drags the EFF name, he drags the CIC’s name to fight General Khan. Let him fight Khan if they have got their own issues and leave the EFF out of their nonsense because the EFF is not part of any nonsense they are fighting about in the police,” Malema said.
He added that the party is not afraid of police officers and deals with issues directly, regardless of who is involved.
“We are not scared of policemen. When we joined the struggle, we were taught not to be scared of a policeman. We did not do it when we were young. We are not going to do it when we are old,” he said.
“We are not fanatics of Mkhwanazi. We are not ball boys of Mkhwanazi or ball girls of Mkhwanazi. We stand with the truth, and if you blunder, we'll tell you this is not right.
''We don't care whether it's Mkhwanazi or not. Mkhwanazi has given us issues. We are dealing with those issues. You must stop being sensitive that everyone who doesn't speak well of him, that person becomes the enemy,” said Malema.
Dlamini said Mkhwanazi was not the enemy of the EFF. ''We support General Mkhwanzi, but more than anything, we support that office. That’s a public office, which is occupied by him.
''We will give our support as long as he sticks to what he’s employed to do, to be a policeman who enforces laws,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini’s comments follow Mkhwanazi’s remarks during ad hoc parliamentary hearings, where he discussed his interactions with Malema and Khan.
The EFF raised concerns that Mkhwanazi’s statements implied improper links between party leadership and individuals involved in criminal activity.
Dlamini clarified that the meeting between Malema and Mkhwanazi was initiated by the commissioner himself and facilitated by Khan.
“Once you enter the space of being a political commentator, then we’re going to respond. The president responds correctly by clarifying that the meeting with him was requested by Mkhwanazi himself through Khan.
''The purpose was to address concerns about the progress on the AKA murder case in KZN. That meeting took place in Durban, and that was the essence of it,” said Dlamini.
“It was General Mkhwanzi who requested the meeting because the president of the EFF was in KZN preparing for our manifesto. General Mkhwanzi wanted to explain progress on the AKA murder, and he asked Khan to organise the meeting. It was entirely his own initiative,” he added.
He criticised Mkhwanazi for making what he described as “irresponsible statements” during parliamentary questioning, including suggestions that criminals were present at EFF events.
“To just say, first, you accuse Khan that he is involved in criminality, and you bring the leader of the EFF, and you hold it there, that’s being mischievous,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini emphasised that the EFF is not accusing Mkhwanazi of wrongdoing but is concerned about statements that could cast suspicion on the party leadership without evidence.
“He can’t speak in coded terms. And we leave the president of the EFF with the suspicion that he is involved in some criminal activities with the police. It cannot be correct,” he said.
He added that the party supported the establishment of an ad hoc parliamentary committee to allow Mkhwanazi to explain his statements.
“When he makes allegations and accusations, that he doesn’t provide any evidence and casts suspicions on the leadership and the president of the EFF, we must respond. That’s why the president of the EFF was correct to clarify that issue,” Dlamini said.
On Mkhwanazi’s comments linking Khan to criminal activity, Dlamini stressed that Malema’s acquaintance with Khan dates back to his time as president of the ANC Youth League.
“Here is a man with so much responsibility that he must come and help all of us, instead of coming out clear and saying this member of parliament or the EFF president is involved in doing one, two, he doesn’t.
''He just said, I know you, because he introduced me, and he keeps it, so society must do the guesswork now,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini stressed that Malema’s acquaintance with Khan dates back to his time as president of the ANC Youth League and that there is no other connection.
Dlamini said the EFF’s response was not a personal attack on Mkhwanazi but a clarification to protect the reputation of the party and its leader.
“Mkhwanzi was never attacked. The president responded to what he said. That’s a debate. Mkhwanazi started a debate. Now, this is not an investigation. This is not law enforcement. It’s a debate. Once we start a debate, we’ve got a right to respond,'' said Dlamini.
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