Police boss fights suspension in High Court

Suspended KZN police boss Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni is taking on her bosses in a court challenge to get her job back and remove her from what she labels her ‘state of disgrace’, says a report in The Mercury. Ngobeni was suspended last week on charges relating to her alleged corrupt relationship with Umhlanga businessman Thoshan Panday, who was once a suspect in conection with an SAPS tender fraud and who, it is alleged, paid for a surprise birthday party for Ngobeni’s husband, Lucas, also a police officer. In her urgent KZN High Court (Durban) application yesterday, Ngobeni protested her innocence, saying the allegations were old and had been proved untrue. ‘It is very curious to me that these old allegations should have resurfaced in the run-up to local elections and I fear I may be the victim of some political manoeuvring and/or ulterior motives,’ she said. The report notes that, in part, her submissions mirror those of suspended Hawks head Major-General Johan Booysen who, in his own court challenges, alleges he is a victim of a conspiracy. He names Ngobeni as one of those behind his removal from office while Ngobeni, in her affidavit and in attached documents, points a similar finger of blame at him and others. Ngobeni is seeking immediate reinstatement pending a judicial review of the suspension decision. This is being opposed by acting National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane and Police Minister Nathi Nhleko. They have agreed to file their papers by next week. Argument will be heard in mid-June.