Following a police raid on his business last Friday, the owner of a Durban North-based security company, Calvin and Family, has caused a stir with his recent social media claims against the KwaZulu-Natal South African Police Service (SAPS).
The businessman, Calvin Mathibeli, boldly claimed that he is aware of plans being orchestrated against him. He believes that there is a plan in place to kill him under the pretence that he shot at the police.
Addressing his upcoming testimony, Mathibeli spoke out against the authorities. He said: “Your attempts to intimidate me and damage my name ahead of my appearance before the Madlanga Commission. The difference between me and you is simple: I work hard for everything I have and earn my success with integrity. I do not survive through means of protection fee from private companies including security companies and taxi owners.”
Mathibeli further alleged that KZN Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is an “ice-boy” for taxi and security company owners, amongst many others. He added: “I do not survive through means of protection fees from criminals, government officials and politicians you threaten to arrest if they don’t dance for your music because you have their ace cards.”
KZN SAPS Spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, acknowledged Mathibeli’s statement, labelling it as “malicious, baseless, unfounded and somewhat threatening.”
Colonel Netshiunda clarified that the operation at the business was a Head Office operation and KZN SAPS had nothing to do with it. He said: “Mr Mathibeli seems to have an obsession with police in KwaZulu-Natal and particularly, the Provincial Commissioner. Police in KwaZulu-Natal will now seek legal recourse against Mr Mathibeli for his image-tinting utterances.”
The police spokesperson believes that the businessman’s statement was an invitation for SAPS to begin investigating his business dealings. Colonel Netshiunda noted that the police have since learnt that Mathibeli is a beneficiary of a tender with the Department of Health in Gauteng.
He added: “Police in KwaZulu-Natal did not know about Mr Mathibeli and his business dealings and police would like to thank him for the voluntary invitation to his business operations. Nobody is above the law, and any wrongdoings by police must be reported to the relevant authorities, not a miscalculated smear campaign of disseminating fabricated untruths.”
