Pretoria – The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service has refuted the alleged payment of R30 million to non-governmental organisation, Indoni.
This comes after the City Press and Independent Group of Newspapers published articles claiming that Police Minister Nathi Nhleko’s girlfriend, Nomcebo Mthembu, who is the founder of Indoni, was allegedly paid more than R30 million for providing services.
In a statement on Friday, the Secretariat said it was involved in the “We are one Humanity Campaign” which was aimed at raising awareness on the anti-xenophobic attacks in various provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and other provinces by educating the public on diverse cultures, humanity and to promote unity among the people of South Africa and accommodate foreign nationals.
This was because the Secretariat was a department that supports the Office of the Minister to enhance his role and to achieve his mandate.
“The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service partnered with Indoni in the conceptualisation of the campaign and the development of activities and programme management for the Ministry and Civilian Secretariat for Police Service.
“The partnership with Indoni is regulated by a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] that was entered into in 2014,” said the Secretariat.
The department has a number of other MOUs with various organisations in different sectors that are aimed at assisting in the fight against crime and violence.
“The department, guided by the MOU paid an amount of R348 000 to Indoni in the financial year 2015/16. The department would like to refute the allegations that an amount of R30 million was paid to Indoni and that the officials in the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service were forced to pay such an amount,” it said.
It said it noted with concern instances of incorrect allegations which are not based on facts and principles of fair reporting.
“The department is committed to principles of good governance and accountability and as such the Acting Secretary of Police Service, Mr. AP Rapea has engaged the services of the Public Service Commission to investigate the matter.” – SAnews.gov.za
