Ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Sunday address on the explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers wants Ramaphosa to support Mkhwanazi by granting him a hearing on the current allegations, and hear him out on ways to improve the crime fighting capability of the State.

Last week, Mkhwanazi made allegations of corruption, political interference, and malfeasance, specifically accusing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of unilaterally disbanding the Political Killings Task Team and redirecting 121 active investigation dockets to the office of National Deputy Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, where they have allegedly been neutralised.

Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on Sunday at 19:00, following outcry from various parties on the allegations made by Mkhwanazi.

The Gift of the Givers wants Ramaphosa to fully support Mkhwanazi, as he has previously done when he called for the establishment of a task team to deal with political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.

“This should also be an objective of the National Dialogue: to listen to those in the know and implement critical decisions instantly, removing bureaucracy, red tape and intentional obstruction in the interest of our citizens and good governance,” the organisation said.

The Gift of the Givers gave its support for Mkhwanazi, describing him as representing “everything that is right” in the South African Police Service (Saps).

“Given the current budgetary constraints, it is imperative that as patriotic citizens and corporates, we give our unrestricted support to Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi in the fight against crime, South Africa's number one enemy, which has a major influence on preventing economic growth and development,” Gift of the Givers said.

Support for Mkhwanazi, is support for the Saps, the organisation said, while warning against vilifying all members of the Saps owing to underperformance.

“…to generalise and paint an entire institution with the same negativity is disingenuous, demoralising, unjust and unfair to those men and women in blue who put their lives on the line, who strive to serve with distinction, in spite of being under resourced, unprotected, outgunned and unmatched by sophisticated criminal networks with the most advanced technology at their behest,” Gift of the Givers said.

It called for various interventions such as upskilling and empowering Saps personnel and providing new crime fighting technology and communication systems.

“…or by repairing hundreds of dysfunctional vehicles, arranging counselling and motivational workshops for burnt-out personnel, supplying advanced protective wear, providing information,” it said.

The Gift of the Givers also wants Ramaphosa to find ways to rebuild trust in the Saps, by modifying attitudes and behaviour between the police and citizens, which it believes will increase cooperation and assist in intelligence gathering.

“Our greatest success in dealing with criminals will be determined through a united stand as one entity, for the country does not belong to the government, it belongs to us all collectively, we own it, respect it, nurture it, protect it, enhance it and defend it together,” the Gift of the Givers stated.