Normal operations continue at police stations amid damning allegations

Normal day-to-day operations and crime-fighting efforts are continuing at police stations across the country.

This is the assurance given by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola on Monday following an explosive special media briefing by KZN Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Sunday.

Mkhwanazi made damning allegations against Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, accusing them of interfering with high-profile police investigations.

These included the disbandment of a team tasked with investigating political killings.

While noting the ‘issues in the public domain’, General Masemola said the ‘men and women in blue remain hard at work at every corner of this country to serve and protect all people living in South Africa’.

This as the commissioner is expected this week to announce the appointment of an acting Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence following the arrest of Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, who faces charges of fraud and corruption relating to the ‘appointment of an unqualified civilian in a senior post within the SAPS’.

Commissioner Masemola said the mandate and work of the police, which is to prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure as well as to uphold and enforce the law, is not affected in any way.

“Other issues that are currently in the public domain will also be discussed,” said Masemola.

In a statement on Sunday evening, minister Mchunu said he ‘will never allow his integrity, that of the Ministry or the SAPS at large to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due processes, from anyone, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi’.

“We will be reviewing the Provincial Commissioner’s statements and consider appropriate action.

“All these statements made by him in public require an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation, on a proper platform,” said Mchunu.

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