President Ramaphosa Questions Police Commissioner's Handling of Political Killings Dockets
**PRETORIA** – A new controversy has emerged within the top ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS), as President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly questioned national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s decision to remove 121 criminal dockets from the office of his suspended deputy, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya. The dockets are at the heart of a political storm and a pending commission of inquiry, prompting the president to express his concerns about the timing and nature of Masemola’s actions.
The dispute centres on the 121 dockets from the political killings task team, a unit now under immense public scrutiny. According to two senior sources within the security cluster, President Ramaphosa called acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia to express his concerns. He stated that Masemola’s move could undermine the integrity of the upcoming commission of inquiry, which is headed by retired Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
One source revealed that the president was visibly upset. "The president was fuming, over what he described as the undermining of the process, which had not yet started. The minister [Cachalia] was also not aware of the move to return the dockets to the task team."
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that the discussion between the president and Minister Cachalia had taken place. "The president did express his displeasure to Minister Cachalia at both the action taken by General Masemola and the subsequent media statement. The president views it as imprudent for the leadership of the SA Police Service to start tinkering with areas and/or issues that are contained in the allegations made by Lieutenant General [Nhlanhla] Mkhwanazi, which are now a subject of inquiry by the Madlanga commission."
The controversy stems from explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. During a widely publicised media briefing in July, Mkhwanazi accused his now-suspended colleague, Lieutenant General Sibiya, of criminal conduct. He further claimed that former minister Senzo Mchunu was protecting criminals who were under investigation by the political killings task team.
Mkhwanazi backed his claims by reading text messages and a letter allegedly linking Mchunu to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a murder accused and member of a suspected syndicate. Mkhwanazi claimed that one Brown Mogotsi, an alleged associate of Mchunu, had exchanged messages with Matlala. In the letter, Mchunu allegedly promised Matlala that the task team, which had previously raided his security company and confiscated firearms, would be disbanded. Following these serious accusations, Mchunu was placed on leave.
Mchunu has since denied the allegations, stating that Mogotsi was simply a "comrade." He has vowed to clear his name at the commission of inquiry.
The dockets in question are at the very centre of the controversy, and the president’s office believes that moving them, even if it is presented as a simple administrative action, is highly problematic. According to Magwenya, “The fact is, this is no ordinary matter or exercise of administrative powers. This is a matter that is now going to be a subject of the commission’s investigation. The president expects the leadership of the SAPS [SA Police Service] to cooperate with the minister and the commission in safeguarding the integrity of the work of the commission. Equally, the president expects both the minister and General Masemola to maintain a professional and collegial relationship at all times, especially during their tenure of office.”
Minister Cachalia, for his part, issued a statement on Friday, noting Masemola’s announcement on the sidelines of the 27th Interpol African Regional Conference about the return of the 121 dockets to the task team. Cachalia stated that shortly after his appointment, he had requested a detailed report on the task team from Masemola, but had not yet received one. "I was appointed by the president to ensure the integrity of the SAPS during this difficult time and to build public trust in this vitally important organisation. I recognise that the allegations made in relation to the political killings task team are of immense public interest."
He added that the task team is at the centre of the allegations and will be dealt with by the commission. "It is a concern, therefore, that steps are being taken in relation to this matter before the commission has had a chance to investigate the issues surrounding the task team. I have requested the national commissioner to submit his report without further delay,” Cachalia said.
The move to remove the dockets and disband the unit was allegedly initiated by Sibiya, who claims it was part of a closeout plan agreed upon with Masemola. However, Masemola has denied this in his application before the Pretoria High Court, stating that he was unaware the unit was being disbanded and accusing Sibiya of acting without his instructions. Sibiya has consistently denied all of Mkhwanazi's allegations.
The controversy is ongoing, with the Pretoria High Court’s full bench set to adjudicate on Sibiya’s future on Wednesday, as the fate of the dockets and the leadership of the SAPS remain in question.
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