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National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to Face Parliament on Hawks Controversy
South Africa’s top police officer, National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, is preparing to take the hot seat before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating corruption in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Her testimony follows a stormy appearance by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who laid bare claims of political interference, corruption within Crime Intelligence, and the controversial disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
Political Firestorm Around the Hawks
The spotlight will be on Masemola’s alleged involvement in decisions surrounding the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks. Mkhwanazi’s earlier testimony revealed a startling detail: Masemola himself had been on the brink of arrest due to political meddling over key appointments in the Hawks.
“I can tell you that the national commissioner was on the doorstep of prison himself, not because he did anything wrong, but because it was part of a plan,” Mkhwanazi told the committee.
The testimony suggested that internal struggles over the leadership of the Hawks had escalated to near-criminal consequences, highlighting the deep entanglement of politics and policing in South Africa.
How the Hearing Will Unfold
Masemola’s two-day testimony will follow the format set by Mkhwanazi:
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Evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse will question Masemola first.
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Committee members will then have the opportunity to probe him on both his statement and prior Madlanga Commission testimony.
The inquiry will scrutinize Masemola’s role in disbanding the PKTT, the handling of corruption within Crime Intelligence, and interactions with Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, who was implicated during the Madlanga Commission proceedings.
Political and Public Implications
Political parties have signaled that their questioning will be rigorous. Social media has already lit up with debate, with some commentators expressing concern about political interference compromising SAPS integrity, while others have urged caution, reminding the public of the principle of innocent until proven guilty.
Observers note that the hearings could have far-reaching consequences, influencing not only SAPS internal politics but also public trust in law enforcement.
Masemola’s testimony will stretch over two days, after which Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya is expected to appear. Analysts say the ad hoc committee hearings could shape future reforms in SAPS, particularly around appointments, oversight, and anti-corruption measures.
For now, all eyes remain on Parliament as South Africa watches one of its top police officials face a rigorous line of questioning in a high-stakes drama that intertwines crime, politics, and justice.
{Source: EWN}
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