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General Masemola: Policing Faces Challenges, But South Africa Is Not in Crisis
South Africa’s National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has pushed back against claims that the country’s policing system is collapsing. Appearing before a parliamentary inquiry this week, Masemola acknowledged that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is under significant strain but maintained that it is not in a state of crisis.
His testimony comes at a time when the public conversation around policing is heated, following allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, about internal dysfunction, stalled investigations, and political interference in SAPS operations.
A Country Under Pressure
Masemola didn’t sugar-coat the reality. He described policing in South Africa as “challenging” and “under pressure,” citing high unemployment and illegal immigration as key social factors fuelling crime and adding new layers of complexity to law enforcement.
“Policing is under pressure, and unfortunately, society looks to the police for everything,” he said.
Masemola explained that today’s policing landscape looks very different from 30 years ago and that the force needs to adapt to changing social and criminal dynamics. He admitted that SAPS faces resource constraints, noting that population growth continues to outpace police capacity.
No Crisis, But Real Problems to Fix
When asked directly whether the police were in crisis, Masemola responded firmly, “I would not describe that the police are in a state of crisis.”
He acknowledged that internal problems exist but insisted they can be resolved. “What you find in the police is what you find in society there are wrongs that must be rooted out,” he said.
Masemola pointed to ongoing efforts to address corruption, mismanagement, and the internal politics that have eroded public confidence in the SAPS. He told the inquiry that the police leadership is actively fixing problems within Crime Intelligence, a division that has faced years of controversy and instability.
Inside the Inquiry: What’s at Stake
The inquiry, launched by Parliament, is investigating a range of serious claims, including the unlawful disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team, the freezing of posts in Crime Intelligence, and allegations of corruption and political interference by senior SAPS leaders.
Masemola is the second witness to appear before the panel. His testimony sought to assure Parliament that reform efforts are ongoing, though not without resistance.
He described how “facts get twisted” when the leadership tries to implement changes, but stressed that fixing SAPS requires a collective effort from government, oversight bodies, and the public. “We do our best to fix these problems, but we need the support of everyone, the executive, Parliament, and society,” he said.
Signs of Progress
Responding to questions about recent progress since Mkhwanazi’s public criticism in July, Masemola said there have been “improvements in some areas.” One example was the improved handling of cases by the Political Killings Task Team, where case enrolments that once took months are now proceeding more efficiently.
Still, he admitted that tensions remain at the upper levels of the police service. “There are problems within the leadership, but they are not beyond resolution. They can be fixed,” he said.
A Force Under Scrutiny, But Still Standing
Masemola’s message was clear: South Africa’s policing system is strained but not broken. His testimony offered a mix of realism and resolve, acknowledging the cracks but also calling for unity to repair them.
While the public remains sceptical, particularly amid rising crime and visible mistrust in law enforcement, Masemola’s appearance was a reminder that reform, however slow, is still in motion.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: EWN
