SA Concerned Over National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola’s Controversial Docket Decision
- National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola is facing scrutiny for his decision to send dockets back to the Political Killings Task Team
- Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has questioned National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola's move
- The dockets are one of the issues to be investigated by the Madlanga Commission
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola is facing criticism for his decision to return dockets to the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal.
Source: Getty Images
Cachalia questioned the move
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia questioned the move, noting that the matter is already set to be investigated by the Madlanga Commission. President Cyril Ramaphosa established the inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption within the SAPS.
DA MP Lisa Schickerling, a member of Parliament's Police Committee, described the timing of Masemola’s decision as inappropriate, noting that it could be seen as a step toward restoring investigative continuity and potentially advancing justice for the victims and their families.
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She said that it could be seen as a concern, seeing that the ad hoc committee and the commission are set to complete their work.
What did South Africans say?
Social media users shared their opinions regarding the move made by the national commissioner.
@BBK29_ said:
"Criminal investigations cannot stop because of some tea party lame commission which has been suspended either way. The commission job is to get evidence and submit a report while the police must investigate, arrest and handover the dockets to the NPA to prosecute... that cannot stop because of Mr bean feelings."
@MabhedlaKa said:
"There is no legal basis for police to stop investigating or prosecuting because of a commission of inquiry. The Constitution requires the police to act, the NPA to prosecute & commissions are only advisory. What you’re seeing is a political manoeuvre dressed up as legal process."
@DaveLamula said:
"Cachalia is already captured? The Madlanga commission will take up to 4 years doing nothing, just like the Zondo commission, let Mkhwanazi & his team use those dockets asap."
@Mantshinga said:
"Criminal investigations cannot stop pending the commission. Also, investigations and dockets are for the commissioner's responsibility, not the minister."
@MnguniSakhy said:
"Commissioner Masemola must arrest this bloody sigebenga esithunyiweko."
@SiphoKolanisi1 said:
"He won't last."
@Bennybo9829577 said:
"He is doing what Mchunu did: Interfering in police work."
@nakssugar said:
"Cachalia must know his lane. He cant tell the police how to handle police matters."
Source: Getty Images
What you need to know about the political Killings Task Team
- The Political Killings Task Team made a breakthrough in the investigation into a Democratic Alliance councillor's death.
- South Africans defended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu after reports surfaced that he and top cop General Shadrack Sibiya were on the Political Killings Task Team.
- The South African Police Service's Political Killings Task Team busted one of the suspects behind the killing of former ANCYL secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa.
- KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi fiercely slammed politicians and top South African Police Service cops.
- National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and his deputy, Shadrack Sibiya, are prepared to take their dispute to court.
Cachalia unhappy with retun of dockets
In another article, the Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, slammed the Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola's decision regarding the Political Killings Task Team.
Masmeola said that the 121 dockets, which were removed from the Task Team, have been returned, and a Gauteng unit will be established He said that the dockets were crucial to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, and South Africans were not happy with his reaction.
EFF claims Minister Cachalia's actions delay justice in political killings investigation
Meanwhile, the EFF said the interference will embolden assassins who rely on delays and political shielding to avoid justice. It said that South Africans deserve swift investigations and arrests, not endless reports and academic debates. The EFF said this stance undermines police investigations, delaying justice for victims and their families.
The party also questioned Cachalia’s conduct in office, noting that he previously opposed police using force against violent criminals, and now appears to stall investigations into political killings.
The party said that Cachalia's suggestion that the 121 murder-related dockets should wait for the outcome of a commission is very dangerous.
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Source: Briefly News
