The office of President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Police Bheki Cele have both denied accusations made by the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) that the security measures for former President Jacob Zuma had been deliberately weakened.
The MKP had claimed that Zuma’s convoy was intentionally targeted by a drunk motorist, and they demanded increased VIP protection for Zuma. However, both the police ministry and the presidency have dismissed these claims.
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MKP Alleges Deliberate Attack Against Zuma
In a statement, the MKP accused the African National Congress (ANC), the police, and President Cyril Ramaphosa of orchestrating a deliberate attack against Jacob Zuma.
The party claimed that the ANC, through the courts, the legal system, and state resources, was sabotaging and exposing Zuma to danger. They also raised concerns about the alleged dilapidated state of Zuma’s protection services and vehicles.
The MKP spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, expressed extreme concern over the safety and security of President Zuma. The party claimed to have observed a series of inter-related events that took place after Zuma’s announcement that he would be voting and campaigning for the MKP.
These events included the closure of Zuma’s FNB accounts, attempts to prevent the party from using the name MK, and the ANC’s failure to act against leaders who had voted against the new party.
Police Ministry and Presidency Respond to Accusations
In response to the accusations, Police Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba stated that Minister Bheki Cele was satisfied with Zuma’s current security detail. The ministry had been briefed by the management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and deemed the security deployed for Zuma to be sufficient and on par with other former heads of state.
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Themba criticized the MKP’s call for Cele to be questioned on Zuma’s security details as reckless and out of order.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya emphasized that the security details of former President Zuma were the responsibility of the SAPS, not the presidency.
Magwenya clarified that the presidency is not a security agency or law enforcement authority and deferred to the SAPS on matters of protection for sitting and former heads of state.
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