Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa was not aware of any political interference in police investigations, his spokesman said on Tuesday.

Last week, acting police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told Parliament "other powers beyond us" decided whether a case should be prosecuted or not.

Mkhwanazi was speaking during a briefing on the police's strategic plans for 2012/13. "We have been told in many instances of late that we don't have rights to investigate certain case dockets," he said.

Mthethwa's spokesman Zweli Mnisi said: "As far as the minister is aware, his name was not mentioned by the commissioner."

Mkhwanazi had made the remarks in Parliament, "so if anyone needs further clarity or further elaboration on his remarks, surely they can approach him," said Mnisi.

Mthethwa and Mkhwanzi had a professional and cordial relationship, interacting almost daily. "If there was anything that required clarity, such a matter would have been raised during those interactions," Mnisi said.  -Sapa