Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola is facing accusations of providing misleading testimony to the parliamentary inquiry investigating alleged corruption within the criminal justice system. The accusations centre around Masemola's statements regarding the presence of Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy leader Kenny Kunene at the residence of Katlego "KT" Molefe, who was arrested in connection with the murder of musician Oupa Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody.
The accusations were levelled by Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls during Friday's proceedings. Sauls challenged Masemola's assertion that Kunene was present at Molefe's residence on two separate occasions.
Kunene has publicly stated that he was accompanying a journalist to interview Molefe at the time of the arrest. Following his resignation as a City of Johannesburg councillor to allow for a party investigation, Kunene was cleared and reinstated in September.
During the inquiry, EFF leader Julius Malema questioned Masemola about the presence of other individuals, specifically a journalist, at Molefe's house during the arrest.
Masemola acknowledged being aware of a journalist's presence but stated he did not know the journalist's identity. He further stated, “But I am aware they did find Mr Kunene at the house and a journalist. I know they did find Mr Kunene. Actually it was not the first time. Even when they went for the second time they found him there,” he said, adding that the first time Kunene back turned at the gate while police were busy with their work.
Sauls then directly asked Masemola if he was "100% sure" that Kunene was found at Molefe's house twice.
Masemola responded that his team had reported Kunene's presence on two occasions. “One of the times he was in the house. The other time he turned at the gate. They denied him entry. That is the report I got,” he said.
Sauls challenged Masemola, questioning how he could state as a fact that Kunene was there twice, when his information was based on a report. Sauls argued that the information Masemola received from his team was hearsay.
“Your team is immune to lie,” Sauls charged.
Sauls, after requesting protection from the EFF from the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, Soviet Lekganyane, asserted that Masemola's testimony “is based on a report, its not fact”.
This prompted DA MP Ian Cameron to interject, arguing that Sauls' questioning was outside the scope of the inquiry. "I think we are losing the plot. This is not part of the scope of the Ad Hoc Committee," Cameron said.
Lekganyane allowed Sauls to continue his line of questioning, but he subsequently faced criticism from MK MP Sibonelo Nomvalo for allegedly guiding the meeting and protecting the witness.
“We can’t be subjected to Kenny Kunene. We have serious issues of national importance. The whole country is watching us and the member is subjecting us to Kenny Kunene,” said Nomvalo, arguing that “people can’t abuse the platform on the basis they have time”.
Sauls maintained that Masemola was not at Molefe’s house twice and claimed that he wanted the country to believe the police team did not have a possibility of lying.
Masemola insisted that the team told him Kunene was there twice.
“Whether they lie or not, I took that which they told me,” he said before pointing out that both of them were not there. “However, the report I got, he was there twice. I will leave it there,” said Masemola.
In response, Sauls said it was an allegation that remained to be proven that Kunene was there twice.
“That means the General lied to the nation. You state that as a matter of fact. We can prove that Kenny Kunene was not there twice. You lied to the nation and it concerns me because whether to believe the rest of your testimony at all,” he said.
Sauls also said the matter was a bit personal to him. “I want the nation to know that my leaders served the time in jail. They paid the price and they worked daily to repay society,” he added.
Sauls highlighted that Kunene had stepped down and subjected himself to an investigation, and expressed his pride in the actions of Kunene and PA leader Gayton McKenzie.
The exchange highlights the intense scrutiny and political tensions surrounding the inquiry, as well as the potential implications for the credibility of key witnesses and the integrity of the investigation itself. The accusations against Masemola raise serious questions about the accuracy of his testimony and could have significant ramifications for the ongoing proceedings.
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