Richard Mdluli.
Controversial head of SAPS crime intelleigence Richard Mdluli will be moved to another division within the police service, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced on Wednesday.
“We have decided that Lieutenant General Mdluli should be shifted from his current position with effect today,” Mthethwa told Parliament.
Mthethwa also announced the formation of a task team headed by the state law advisor to investigate claims by Mdluli that he is the victim of a political conspiracy.
“They are so serious as to suggest the meddling of policing functions in politics. To this end, Mdluli has been informed of the decision and has pledged his support to the process,” said Mthethwa.
The move follows reports suggesting Mdluli is being protected by President Jacob Zuma and has been granted extra powers to spy on emails, phone calls and text messages since being reinstated to his position following a suspension handed down in 2011.
Mdluli has also reportedly been earmarked for the position of top cop, to replace current acting national police commissioner Major General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mdluli was suspended from his crime intelligence chief position after he appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court in February 2011, facing murder charges relating to the 1999 death of Oupa Ramogibe — an ex-lover’s husband.
This was followed by Mdluli’s arrest in September 2011 on fraud and corruption charges alleging that he had raided a police intelligence funds for personal use.
In December last year the National Prosecuting Authority withdrew fraud and corruption charges against Mdluli, pending the outcome of an inquest into Ramogibe’s murder in February 2012, to ascertain the merits of the case against him.
Mdluli was reinstated as crime intelligence chief on March 27 this year.
At the time Mdluli said the charges were part of a political conspiracy by allies of former president Thabo Mbeki who were trying to take over police intelligence ahead of the 2012 ANC conference in Mangaung.