Metro chief murder case
postponed
Ekurhuleni metro police chief Hlula Msimang
appeared in the Wynberg Regional Court on Friday in connection with a murder
charge, the Independent Police Investigate Directorate (Ipid) said.
Metro
police chief Hlula Msimang and MMC for community safety, Mthuthuzeli Siboza at
the safer festive season campaign. Pic: New Age
“The
matter was postponed to February 8 to give them time to make representations to
the National Director of Public Prosecutions,” spokesman Moses Dlamini said.
“They
want the matter to be converted from [a] murder [case] to an inquest.”
Dlamini
could not give more details about the case.
The Star
newspaper on Friday reported that the case related to a shooting in
Johannesburg a few months ago.
Mayoral
spokesman Zweli Dlamini told the newspaper that Msimang had not been suspended.
“He’s at
work. He has not been charged with anything,” said Dlamini.
The
Democratic Alliance said the Johannesburg mayor and the MMC for community
safety needed to explain the appointment of Msimang as head of public safety in
the city.
DA
spokesman Mervyn Cirota said although Msimang was considered innocent until the
entire legal process was exhausted, the decision should be carefully examined.
“Council
officials must explain whether they were aware of these murder charges at the
time of his appointment, as well as how the elective process was conducted,”
Cirota said.
“Msimang
does not have a good track record in his current position as head of police in
Ekurhuleni. In fact, reports suggest an under-performing chief, who at one
stage was refused access to the Section 79 Safety Committee due to
non-performance.”
The DA
said Msimang’s appointment should be withdrawn pending the outcome of the
investigation and trial.
However,
Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau’s spokesman Fred Mokoko, said the DA should raise
the questions in council meetings.
“All
appointments are approved by the council,” he said.
“The DA
have an opportunity to interact in council as both the mayor and MMC go to
council. They should raise their questions there.”
