De Haas disputes Cele's claims on Zulu's state protection refusal

CRIME and policing expert Mary De Haas has rubbished claims that prominent whistleblower Thabiso Zulu refused state protection when he was being threatened.

- THAMI MAGUBANE [e-mail]

The claims surfaced recently when former police minister Bheki Cele testified before the Ad Hoc Committee.

De Haas lashed out at Cele, stating that he has no credibility on the issue and should not be taken seriously.

Zulu was a close friend of slain ANC councillor in Umzimkhulu, Sindiso Magaga, who was killed for exposing corruption in the municipality.

Zulu has been on a campaign to ensure that those implicated in Magaqa’s murder are held to account. As a result, his own life has been threatened, and he has faced attempted assassination.

High-profile individuals have been arrested in connection with Magaqa’s murder, including ANC heavyweight and former mayor, Mluleki Ndobe, and a municipal manager, Zweliphansi Sikhosana, but they were later released. The municipal manager was rearrested for the murder, and Ndobe is now deceased. A hitman was recently sentenced after admitting to the killing, and others implicated in the case are facing trial.