Paul Stober
MINISTER of Safety and Security Sydney Mufamadi has announced he will set up a special team to investigate allegations of hit-squads in the kwaZulu Police — but one of the first people he will consult is somebody who has himself been accused of involvement: kwaZulu/Natal’s minister of safety and security, Celani Mtetwa.
Mtetwa was named in the Pretoria Supreme Court recently as allegedly involved in a gun-running network set up to supply weapons to the Inkatha Freedom Party.
His name was mentioned during a bail application hearing launched by former Vlakplaas commander Eugene de Kock, who is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, terrorism and unlawful possesion of weapons, among others.
Under cross-examination during the hearing, investigating officer Warrant Officer Ernest Holmes named Mtetwa as among senior IFP leaders with whom De Kock allegedly had contact.
Earlier this year, the Mail & Guardian reported that the Goldstone Commission had information indicating Mtetwa had allegedly received arms from De Kock’s operation. De Kock’s arrest in May followed the release of a Goldstone report which detailed the activities of the gun- running network.
Mufamadi said on Wednesday he would consult Mtetwa before deciding who would make up the special investigation team and its terms of reference.
His announcement followed allegations by no less than the former KZP commissioner, General Roy During, that “at least one” hit squad was operating within the KZP.
Sources close to the De Kock investigation indicated this week that a cache of military standard weapons of war, alleged to have been in De Kock’s possession, may have been destined for Inkatha paramilitary training camps in Natal.
According to court reports, De Kock is alleged to have been in possession of an arsenal — including mortars, handgrenades, anti- personnel mines, high explosives and ammunition — around October last year.
Sources said the weapons were meant for the IFP but it was not known if they actually arrived at the Inkatha camps.
Just before the April election, IFP paramilitary trainer Phillip Powell was caught with one of the home-made guns De Kock’s network is alleged to have manufactured.
However, the attorney-general declined to prosecute him after Powell insisted he was on his way to hand the weapon over to the police when he was apprehended.
De Kock’s bail application will continue later this month.