‘I played no role whatsoever’: Mbalula distances himself from TRC cases

'I played no role whatsoever': Mbalula distances himself from TRC cases

Cape Town – Former police minister and current ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has denied having any involvement in investigations into Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)-related cases during his time in office.

According to IOL, Mbalula testified under oath before the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry that he played no role in the investigation or prosecution of TRC-related matters during his tenure as Deputy Minister of Police from 2009 to 2010 and as Minister of Police from March 2017 to February 2018.

He told the commission that the minister’s responsibilities are limited to policy and do not extend to police operations or criminal investigations.

“The minister is responsible for policy, and not operations within the police portfolio. The minister of Police therefore has no legal authority to determine the investigation of cases and/or direct investigations of criminal cases. The minister plays no role in the allocation of operational resources to the investigation of criminal cases,” Mbalula said.

According to SABC News, Mbalula said that while he was aware of certain developments relating to TRC cases as an activist, they were not connected to his official duties as Deputy Minister or Minister of Police.

“As Minister of Police, I was never involved in TRC cases. I did not have authority to determine, direct or provide resources to any investigations relating to the TRC cases. Neither did I determine or influence decisions relating to the prosecution of TRC cases. I played no role whatsoever in the TRC cases,” he told the commission.

Picture: X/ Mbalula Fikile

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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

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