President Cyril Ramaphosa has declined a proposal for a board of inquiry into accusations of sabotage and misconduct concerning South African Police Service (SAPS) Commissioner General Fanie Masemola.
Allegations by Mashale
The request for an urgent investigation into General Masemola’s conduct was submitted by Elias Muller, a communist activist, after a contentious Facebook post by Mashale implied that Masemola was targeting prominent officials, including former police minister Bheki Cele.
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Mashale asserted that Masemola was worried about Cele potentially replacing him with Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili, and that he organized a meeting with her at a guest house in Bloemfontein to discuss various issues, including the inquiry involving Cele and other senior SAPS members.
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The whistleblower further accused Masemola of participating in questionable activities, which encompassed leaking confidential police information and misappropriating state resources for personal gain.
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In a letter to Ramaphosa, Muller called for an immediate investigation into the incidents, outlining eight key areas that warranted scrutiny, including whether Masemola’s actions damaged the SAPS’s reputation, if he violated constitutional responsibilities, or misused his authority for personal advantage.
Ramaphosa Rejects Inquiry Proposal
However, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, stated that the president would not establish a board of inquiry, stressing that decisions would not be swayed by discussions on social media.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe also refrained from commenting, citing a lack of evidence to support Mashale’s claims. In the meantime, former police minister Bheki Cele and violence monitor Mary de Haas have either chosen to remain silent or provided minimal responses regarding the issue.
Nonetheless, De Haas acknowledged her awareness of the issues surrounding Masemola’s conduct, including his concerns about personal safety and possible surveillance. She also mentioned reaching out to Ramaphosa to express her concerns and had communicated with the police portfolio committee to address the issues raised by Mashale and others within the SAPS.
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As tensions escalate, Mashale’s allegations have sparked discussions about the integrity of police leadership in South Africa, with many questioning whether adequate measures are being implemented to uphold transparency and accountability within the SAPS.
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