Mkhwanazi wouldn't make wild allegations: Steenhuisen
On Sunday, Mkhwanazi made damning allegations against senior law enforcement officials including police minister Senzo Mchunu, accusing them of interfering in cases police are investigating.
'Like all South Africans, I was completely shocked by these allegations,' Steenhuisen said in an interview with Newzroom Afrika. 'I've known Mkhwanazi for many years as a KZN resident and I've known him for his work there. I don't think he's someone who makes wild, unsubstantiated allegations. I regard the allegations as incredibly serious.'
Steenhuisen said a full investigation should be conducted into those implicated.
'This is a very serious allegation, and it requires more action than we've seen to date. This requires a full parliamentary inquiry through the committee. Mkhwanazi should be given an opportunity to come to parliament and set out these allegations.
'It cannot be that we suffer from a huge crime problem in South Africa and have these allegations that underworld kingpins are being protected by the very people who should be at the forefront of putting them in jail. There's no country in the world that would tolerate this, the government shouldn't. The sooner the situation is clarified the better it's going to be.'
He said Ramaphosa set the bar high when he fired former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield for an unauthorised trip to the US and more needs to be done on this matter.
Several political parties have rallied behind Mkhwanazi and called for the immediate suspension of Mchunu and the deputy national police commissioner for crime detection, Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya.
'The people of South Africa are deeply shaken by these allegations and are asking the right questions, like who's watching the watchers and who's keeping an eye on the top management of the police.'
While Mchunu has denied all the allegations, Ramaphosa has assured the matter will receive the highest priority.
'It is vital that the integrity of the country's security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed,' Ramaphosa said. 'All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint. The trading of accusations and counteraccusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police.'
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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading They were subjected to brutal treatment, including intimidation, physical torture, and forced labour, working for 16 hours a day. They were also compelled to engage in illicit activities, including online scams that targeted individuals worldwide. They were frequently beaten or tortured if they refused. They survived on spoiled food and contaminated water without access to medical treatment. In March, the South African government said a ransom of approximately R50,000 was demanded for their release. A large group of South Africans is stuck in Thailand after being rescued from illegal scamming compounds in Myanmar, because they do not have the money to buy plane tickets back home. A counter-human Trafficking NGO Brave To Love, is raising funds to repatriate victims back home. Pictured is International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola. Image: GCIS The online scams where South Africans were forced to work are also known as 'pig butchering scams,' in which victims are cultivated online and eventually fleeced of their assets. Van der Walt, in choosing the first 23, Brave To Love prioritised the most vulnerable individuals in the group, and was followed by three more for whom the organisation managed to raise plane tickets. 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Her organisation is raising funds to bring back home the remaining group and remains committed to the rescue and restoration of every South African still trapped abroad. 'Recruiters continue to lure vulnerable young people from South Africa with promises of remote work, marketing roles, or IT positions; only for them to end up enslaved by organised criminal syndicates. 'These operations are well-coordinated and run by transnational networks. They prey on economic desperation and false hope. The need for awareness, prevention, and international cooperation has never been more urgent,' van der Walt said. She said this is a growing crisis. 'Despite these rescues, we are gravely concerned. We estimate that over 200 South Africans remain trapped in similar scamming compounds across Myanmar.' Her organisation is raising funds to bring back home the remaining group and remains committed to the rescue and restoration of every South African still trapped abroad. 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