Anwa Dramat was “onto something very big in respect of [Jacob] Zuma’s personal involvement in the over-the-top expenditure at Nkandla” and this “holds the key to his suspension and eventual exit”‚ the Congress of the People said.

Hawks boss Dramat handed his resignation to National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega on Tuesday.

Dramat had been suspended late last year by Police Minister Nathi Nhleko after allegations were made that he was involved in the illegal renditions of Zimbabweans four years earlier.

The Pretoria High Court later ruled that the suspension was unlawful‚ and ordered that he return to work.

Dramat‚ at the time‚ suggested through his lawyers that the suspension was related to his stated intention to pursue investigations against high-profile people.

Party spokesperson Dennis Bloem said: “Cope is convinced that the heavy stick that the minister of police wielded and the very big bunch of carrots he hung out led Dramat to resign.”

Following the high court decision‚ some media outlets reported that Dramat had been offered R3-million if he departed.

“Dramat‚ an honest public servant‚ merely wanted to do his work‚ considering that in terms of our Constitution all are equal before the law.” Bloem said.

He added that Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota has asked the minister of police‚ in a written question submitted to Parliament‚ “to indicate the quantum of the golden handshake”.

“It is such a monumental shame that government is wasting money in this way. Nkandla is costing us a heap more than the R240-million we are aware of‚” said Bloem.

“What a shame that this government is continuously flushing out good people from office to achieve political ends.”