Issued by: Ministry for Safety and Security
MINISTER FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, SYDNEY MUFAMADI, DECEMBER 8, 1995, PRETORIA.
I have noted with concern the on-going release of statements to the media in the Mpumalanga Province regarding investigations into alleged gun smuggling in the province.
Statements have also been made which suggest that the firearm units are going to be disbanded because some of their members are alleged to be involved in gun smuggling in that province.
It is well known that the police are involved with sensitive investigations into the serious allegations of gun smuggling in Mpumalanga.
For anyone including politicians, to make on-going statements about these investigations can be very detrimental to a successful outcome of the investigation. It would be naive to justify the release of such information to the media with the need to be transparent.
Transparency should not lead to a point where sensitive police investigations are prejudiced and jeopardised.
Any suggestion that there is an agreement to disband the firearms unit in Mpumalanga province is incorrect. Commissioner Fivaz and I did not enter into such an agreement with anyone.
Any claim that such an agreement was entered into amounts to a distortion, a misrepresentation or a misunderstanding of what was discussed. if any member of the SAPS are implicated in criminal activity they, as individuals, will be firmly dealt with either by way of criminal charges or in terms of existing police regulations.
Police investigations into allegations of gun smuggling are continuing. The police should be allowed to carry out their investigations as swiftly as possible without interference from anyone, including politicians.
Enquiries: Mulalo Maxwell Mulaudzi Ministerial spokesperson 082 373 2005