Police minister Bheki Cele has challenged the SABC to take action against Ukhozi FM radio presenter Zimiphi “Zimdollar” Biyela after she took to the air last month to accuse members of the national intervention unit (NIU) of unjustifiably killing men who she claimed were her brothers at a village near eMpangeni.
Media reports alleged that she was referring to the killing of a group of men who died after a gunfight with police last month in Richards Bay.
She was quoted as saying: “Every time they [the NIU] kill someone, they say they were defending themselves. Why must they defend themselves all the time?”
Taking to the podium at the funeral of NIU warrant officer, Sthembiso Mazibuko on Sunday, Cele did not hold back on his criticism of Biyela, suggesting her comments were careless.
Forty-one-year-old Mazibuko died during a gun battle with suspects on Tuesday at a house in Ntuzuma C section, outside Durban. Four other people — two men and two women — were found dead in the house. Another officer, Nkululeko Mthiyane, was injured in the shoot-out.
“I challenge the SABC to take action. She must not use the SABC, which is a national asset, to make such utterances,” charged Cele.
He argued that the radio presenter had not revealed the circumstances in which the alleged murder of her brothers had taken place.
“If she does not know, we would tell her what had led to that,” fired Cele.
When contacted for comment, Biyela took a conciliatory tone, saying her utterances had been stirred by the pain she had gone through when she lost her brothers.
“I apologise for what I had said. I also do concede the frustrations that Cele has had to go through,” said Biyela.
Biyela added: “If the minister is saying that they have information, maybe that would give me closure [I would like to have it]. If you are a woman and you have brothers, you do not always know about what your other siblings get up to. I did not know that side of them.”
Cele, however, vowed that they would be ridding communities of criminals in honour of Mazibuko.
According to Cele, Mazibuko’s death was the first of an NIU member in his six-year tenure as a police minister.
“The only other death I had to witness in this unit were some members who had died during an aircraft crash some time ago. This should be last time that something like this happens,” Cele said.
Police officials and the public packed the KwaMashu hall to pay their last respects to Mazibuko.
Recounting the fateful evening which claimed Mazibuko’s life, Cele said he was struck by how jubilant community members were when they witnessed the demise of a kingpin whose reign of terror had seen him kill over 12 people in five weeks.
His impunity had led to some residents fearing for their own lives and often leading to locking themselves their houses and going to bed early.
“We cannot be ruled by hardened criminals. I am told that the kingpin who was gunned down operated with eight of his accomplices. Where are the remaining six? We cannot allow that. We need to flush out criminals,” said Cele.
Within the volatile area north of Durban, police made discoveries, including a money machine in some of the houses believed to have been occupied by some of the suspects.
We urge the public to help stem the tide. You know police are not izangoma . They are reliant on you the public to deal with crime. Let’s work with them.
— Nthabeleng Molefe, KZN Popcru secretary
KwaZulu-Natal secretary of the police prisons civil rights union (Popcru) Nthabeleng Molefe called on Cele to come up with plans of overhauling the Criminals Procedures Act.
“Police members should be able to use their guns. We are concerned by these killings. If people are apprehended for killing police they should not get bail,” said Molefe.
She said KZN had gained notoriety for being a leading province when it comes to the killing of police.
“We urge the public to help stem the tide. You know police are not izangoma. They are reliant on you the public to deal with crime. Let’s work with them,” said Molefe.
Family spokesperson Jabulani Mazibuko said the family was devastated by the loss of the 41-year-old, whom he described as a brave trooper who was a rising star in the force.
“Sthembiso was of assistance to the family and had accomplished a lot for his age. Police need to be equipped to deal with sophisticated criminals who are highly professional in what they do,” said Mazibuko.
A representative from his in-laws, Jabulani Msomi, said the family was also reeling from the loss.
“The whole nation has been robbed of such a great member. He respected the public,” said Msomi.
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