Minister Plato welcomes ANC’s interest in the rule of law

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

I welcome the ANC Western Cape’s sudden interest in the rule of law, however misguided, through their actions today of opening up a docket for criminal investigation into me.

The ANC’s blanket approach of requesting investigations from the police, Hawks and Public Protector on “whether anyone should be prosecuted”, will ensure that any investigation must include the serious content of the information provided to me in affidavits. The affidavits allege corruption and criminal activity within SAPS as well as the ANC’s political links to gangs.

Through these legitimate investigative authorities, the truth regarding the content of information, allegations and affidavits handed to me will be determined and anyone responsible for any illegal activity will have to face the full might of the law.

My actions in office have always been above board, transparent and in the best interest of the safety of communities in the Western Cape.

The ANC’s allegations and half-truth concocted conspiracies are a desperate attempt to deflect attention away from how much they feature in the affidavits supplied to my office.

Frivolous and malicious witch-hunts, however, should not deflect from the genuine safety concerns of communities in the Western Cape who are battling with the scourge of gangs, drugs and guns, seemingly being allowed to continue unabated.

On behalf of these communities, I will continue to hand over the information I receive to the appropriate investigative authorities – such as the police, Hawks or the Public Protector – as I have done in the past. This is due to my office having no operational authority over the police in the province, nor any investigative authority into criminal activity.

All the recent affidavits and the allegations contained in them are of a serious nature and the Hawks need to be allowed to investigate their contents, as the National Minister of Police has requested.

I continue to honour the commitment made to the National Police Minister and the National Police Commissioner to enable the Hawks to complete their investigation and I have pledged my support and cooperation.

I will cooperate with any legitimate investigation.