The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned that despite a conviction for drunken driving in December, and repeated calls for his dismissal, former head of The Protection and Security Department at South African Police Service (SAPS), Mzondeki Tshabalala, has now been appointed to the position of Head of SAPS Information and System Management. Under Mr. Tshabalala’s tenure, the VIP Protection Unit developed a reputation for becoming a law unto themselves – particularly on South Africa’s roads. We are told by police spokesperson Brigadier Sally De Beer that disciplinary action had been taken against Mr. Tshabalala in September last year, but it is unclear what this disciplinary action was, or how, in light of this, Mr. Tshabalala could be remotely suitable for a promotion. I believe the Minister of Police needs to state publicly what the outcome of the disciplinary action was and I shall be writing to him today to this effect.

Mr. Tshabalala was responsible for a car accident while under the influence of alcohol in August 2008. Not only was he found to be over the limit, but he also had an opened bottle of whisky with him in the car. SAPS tried to keep this incident quiet and there were allegations that attempts were made to tamper with his blood samples. After this incident, he remained head of the Protection and Security Department despite numerous controversies. In March 2009, union members in the VIP Protection Unit threatened illegal strike action if Mr. Tshabalala was not removed from his position. Under his leadership, the VIP Unit was a threat to safety on the roads with countless stories of intimidation of motorists by VIP units, forcing motorists off the road, swearing at them and in some cases even assaulting motorists. There appears to have been no attempt by Mr. Tshabalala to stop the bullying tactics of the officers under his command.

Mr. Tshabalala has apparently been replaced by Mr. S.F Masemola, who was previously the Provincial Commissioner of Police in KwaZulu-Natal. The DA hopes to see renewed accountability and respect for the rule of law in the VIP Protection Unit during his tenure. However it is not good enough to move Mr. Tshabalala from being the head of one department to head of another. Our police service is supposed to set an example. If a head of department in SAPS is found guilty of drunken driving and charged R20 000 it should have consequences for his career.

It is my concern that a culture of impunity is setting in at the SAPS, with officers and senior officials not being held accountable for their actions. Certainly, judging by the behavior of the VIP Protection Unit under the leadership of Mr. Tshabalala, some police officers clearly believed themselves to be above the law. Allowing Mr. Tshabalala to assume another senior leadership position in the SAPS does nothing to engender a culture of accountability and undercuts all of the Zuma administration’s pledges that corruption and lawlessness will not be tolerated.