Details of a plot to kill Police Minister Fikile Mbalula and harm his family and his adviser, Bongani Mbindwane, have emerged in a leaked document.
But Mbalula warns he will not be deterred from cleaning up the police force.
“I am shocked and extremely disappointed that this has gotten this far. I have been aware of work environment difficulties, but did not think they would escalate to this potential lawlessness.
“I will not be deterred from cleaning up the SAPS and professionalising it,” he said this week.
In the document seen by The Sunday Independent, a source revealed axed acting national police commissioner, Khomotso Phahlane, a former Hawks boss and a suspended crime intelligence head, are working together in an underground operation to oust Mbalula from office and frustrate operations in his ministry.
Phahlane was axed by Mbalula shortly after he took office while a court ruling set aside the appointment of the former Hawks head.
According to the source, the three men known as “Big Three” worked vigorously on an operation, Project Wonder.
They are said to have infiltrated Mbalula’s ministry, targeting different departments. One target is deploying “key senior police officials” to certain positions and removing those closely linked to Mbalula. It is also believed they intended to approach former police commissioner Bheki Cele to solicit his support.
There are also allegations the “Big Three” attempted to cover up a request by Mbalula for a lifestyle audit on one of the “senior police officials” they earmarked for a top position.
There were also allegedly efforts to implicate Mbalula in the murder cases of North West businessman Wandile Bozwana by planting women in his office.
More at: https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics...n-plot-to-assassinate-fikile-mbalula-10956754