Urgent Request For A Report On Progress In The Police Investigation Of The Killing Of Inkosi Mathonsi And Senzo Meyiwa

If Lieutenant-General Berning Ntlemeza sees fit to appoint a highly specialised task team armed with expertise and experience to investigate what they term “worsening corruption” in three Eastern Cape municipalities, nothing should prevent him from appointing a similar task team to investigate the killings of Inkosi Linda Mathonsi, and Senzo Meyiwa.

I noticed that in 2015 he and his team were able to launch an urgent manhunt for those behind the murder of a member of the presidential protection unit in Eshowe but he failed to do the same in Senzo Meyiwa’s case and for our supporters who were killed in KwaMashu and Inanda. We have lost many of our supporters like Fuhluza Khumalo but there has been no word from the police till today. We believe that the loss of life must be treated equally before the law. As far as we are aware, months have passed after the assassination of Inkosi Mathonsi and years have passed after the assassination of Senzo Meyiwa yet no arrests have been made, and no reports on progress in the investigations are being made.

Why then does swift action only appear to happen when the victim of the crime is someone famous, wealthy or well-connected with the government? I am sure the general public would agree with me when I ask why swift action appears non-existent when a normal citizen falls victim to violent crimes?

As acknowledged, it is important that a clear message be sent to the general public that the SAPS will not tolerate the delay in apprehending the killers. The use of firearms against individuals without means of defending themselves is a serious matter. I urge you to ensure that the investigation is thorough, impartial and transparent, and that the results are made public when it is concluded. The South African community is entitled to expect that the police officers who are investigating Senzo Meyiwa’s and Inkosi Mathonsi’s deaths would perform their duties to the highest standards.

If such high profile cases remain unsolved, one then wonders how many other cases involving ordinary South Africans have been forgotten. It is no wonder that the general public opinion is that the police are inefficient and even corrupt.

Against this background, we request your urgent intervention to ensure the efficient and professional investigation by the SAPS and/or the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (“the Hawks”) of the killing of Mr Senzo Meyiwa and Inkosi Mathonsi and that the perpetrators are caught and prosecuted as a matter of urgency and that a report on the progress in the investigation is available. The prioritization of crime in South Africa seems to be purely geared towards those who could further advance or protect their careers and increase their favour in the ruling party at the expense of the normal citizen.

I trust this letter will serve as a reminder of your position as a servant of the people and not a ruler of the people. The same people who placed their trust in you to serve them to the best of your abilities and place their interest above that of your fellow cabinet members and ruling party members. This small little fact being something all ministers seem to remember only when votes are needed.

I implore you and your department to place the same emphasis on all violent crimes and solve the cases without delays.

I expect you to do everything in your power to ensure that those responsible for the serious failures in the police investigation are held accountable. It is up to the Hawks and SAPS to explain to the community their reasons for taking no action against these officers.

Thank you for your attention to my concerns, and I look forward to receiving a response at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Hon MB Gwala
IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature
Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison
078 290 5842