Issued by: Ministry for Safety and Security
MEDIA RELEASE BY THE MINISTER FOR SAFETY, MR SYDNEY MUFAMADI, MARCH 14, 1996, PRETORIA
Re: Article in Die burger - March 11, 1997 - "Minister het nie keuse in O-Kaap."
An article in Die Burger alleges that the Minister for Safety and Security, Mr Sydney Mufamadi, said that: "he has no choice but to appoint a black person in the place of the outgoing Eastern Cape's police chief."
I reject with contempt the report by Die Burger, which seeks to sow confusion in the ranks of the police. Die Burger has no right to lie and to embark on such "microwave journalism" without even attempting to contact my office before publishing the report. This is sensational and gutter reporting at its worst.
Die Burger owes myself and the Department for Safety and Security, an apology for publishing such a blatant lie. For Die Burger's information, the responsibility to appoint a Provincial Commissioner is the prerogative of the National Commissioner of SAPS and the provincial executive in terms of Section 207 of the Constitution. The learned Editor of Die Burger should know what the Constitution provides regarding appointments of Provincial Commissioners.
I am perturbed by this kind of reporting which indeed, leave us with no option but to approach the Media Council in this regard.
Enquiries: Maxwell Mulaudzi - 082 373 2005