Mdluli to battle on - lawyer

Mdluli was suspended by the acting National Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for matters relating to an ongoing court inquest into the murder of Mdluli's former lover's husband, Oupa Ramogibe, in 1999. But Ike Motloung, Mdluli's legal counsel, reportedly told the Mail & Guardian he had only received the notice of suspension via e-mail and no effort was made to ensure he had indeed received it on his behalf. 'I only realised the lieutenant-general was suspended when I switched on my TV on Sunday morning. I have been served nothing personally and have not been given a mandate to do so,' Motloung told the M&G. Motloung added he was 'completely unaware' of any intention to immediately suspend Mdluli, as he had been awaiting a reply from Mkhwanazi after he had written to him asking about the notice of intention to suspend. 'As far as I understand, we are still waiting for clarity on the notice of intention,' he said. Full Mail & Guardian report

An independent judicial inquiry should be appointed to investigate allegations against Mdluli, the Institute for Security Studies' Gareth Newham says. He is quoted in Die Burger as saying the inquiry should also have the power to recommend further steps and the appointment process of a new commissioner. 'The Mdluli issue has caused enormous damage to the image of the police. We still have a long road to walk before the issue is resolved,' he said. Full report in Die Burger

KZN provincial Crime Intelligence boss Major-General Deena Moodley says his ousting is part of a 'greater scheme' by Mkhwanazi to get rid of 'the Indian mafia' from intelligence, says a report in The Mercury. And Moodley's deputy, Brigadier Sithembiso Ndlovu, says his 'transfer' from intelligence is because he refused to implicate Moodley in any wrongdoing and had not shown his allegiance to African bosses in the police service. These allegations by Moodley and Ndlovu are contained in further affidavits filed in Durban's Labour Court ahead of a hearing this Friday in which they are challenging what they say are Mkhwanazi's unlawful instructions that they be removed from their posts. The report notes the men launched their urgent applications after being informed in March of their transfers - Moodley to Pinetown cluster commander and Ndlovu to Inanda crime prevention commander. Mkhwanazi is opposing the applications, but has refused to disclose to the court the details of why he transferred the two senior police officers, saying it was not in the interests of crime intelligence. He referred to 'suspected criminal activities' and said the transfers were in the best interests of the police. Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)