Pretoria - The Police Ministry has refuted media reports that individuals reported to be Minister Nathi Mthethwa's relatives and children are employed by the South African Police Services (SAPS).
The Ministry noted an article in The Citizen in which it was alleged that Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli had hired two of the minister's sons as covert police crime intelligence agents.
The persons alleged to be his children are LS Mthethwa and T Ngubane, the Ministry said, adding that in the same article, Ngubane is quoted as saying that he is the minister's nephew.
"The Citizen article is untrue, subjective and without any foundation whatsoever. Minister Mthethwa or his spokesperson were not contacted or asked for comment on the veracity of the claims made in the article, which have now been paraded as the truth. That is why the Minister has already lodged a formal complaint with the Press Ombudsman," the Ministry said.
It added that the Mail & Guardian had contacted the minister with similar questions.
"Again, the minister yesterday responded to the Mail & Guardian to reiterate that none of his children or relatives has been employed by SAPS; furthermore, that he does not have any adopted child.
"Yesterday, the City Press newspaper enquired about the same issue, and sent through a set of questions to the Minister. He has accordingly reiterated and provided City Press with the same response: none of his relatives have been employed and work within SAPS," the Ministry said.
The Ministry said Mthethwa had noted the "on-going campaign of peddling malicious and personal attacks aimed at discrediting him".
"However out of respect for the current investigation by the Auditor General specifically into the allegations around the misuse of state funds; which he personally requested, he will not be making any public commentary pending the finalisation of the investigation," it added.
