There was no sign of the missing IT salesperson allegedly at the centre of the African National Congress’s spy and hoax e-mail saga on Wednesday, police said.
The search was continuing, ”however, there have been no new developments,” said Director Sally de Beer, spokesperson for National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.
On Tuesday police denied any part in the disappearance of Muziwendoda Kunene.
De Beer also said police had had no reason to conduct surveillance on him.
”According to various media reports, comments have allegedly been made which — either blatantly or by way of innuendo — have linked the South African Police Service to Kunene’s disappearance,” she said.
During a press conference on Sunday, Kunene’s wife Belinda called on the public to help find him.
She reportedly claimed that, since his arrest in December, her husband had been the subject of constant surveillance by people who identified themselves as police officers.
De Beer said: ”The SAPS would like to point out that we are policing in a democracy and not only are we constitutionally-bound to uphold the rule of law, but are also ourselves governed by the rule of law.
”It must be categorically and openly stated that the SAPS was not involved in Kunene’s alleged disappearance and that we have undertaken to investigate the missing person’s report lodged by his spouse.”
De Beer added that a police investigation — in support of the Inspector-General of Intelligence — in which Kunene was implicated, had been finalised and he had been brought before court by the police.
”There is, therefore, no reason for the police to have him under surveillance and no such action has been taken.”
Durban-based Kunene has not been seen since his wife dropped him off at a BP garage to board a taxi to Sandton City to attend to his business.
He was arrested on December 1 in connection with the so-called hoax e-mail saga that has divided the ANC. He was released on bail of R2 000.
Gauteng police confirmed on Monday that procedures had been put in place to find Kunene.
In its December 15 edition last year, the Mail & Guardian reported that the 73 pages of e-mails at the centre of the saga purport to be messages and chat-room exchanges between senior ANC politicians, including Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, members of the National Prosecuting Authority, white media personalities and opposition figures like Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon.
The exchanges, of dubious origin and content, claim to illustrate a political conspiracy led by a Xhosa faction to rid the ruling party of stumbling blocks in its presidential succession race.
They discredit former deputy president Jacob Zuma and ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe. – Sapa