Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola on Thursday expressed his wish to complete his term of office, a rarity for his predecessors who faced premature exits.

 “I would want to finish the term,” Masemola said when he was responding to chief evidence leader, Advocate Norman Arendse SC.

The inquiry is probing the allegations made by KZN commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at a press briefing on July 6.

Masemola was appointed in April 2022 and his term comes to an end in 2027.

He said he was determined to complete his term, but there were those working tirelessly behind the scenes to undermine his authority and push for his removal.

“You will find there will be criminal cartels that will go to little corners to connive and come with a case whether there is a case or not. The fact of the matter is that you have to be removed most importantly. That is the reality of the situation.”

Masemola said there would be parallel structures that would want to manipulate the national commissioner and if they can’t, they will come with a plan to have him or her removed and replaced.

“From the day one has been appointed, there are those already working day and night to see how you can be removed,” he said.

Masemola also said one would not just be fighting crime but would be distracted.

“There would be many plans day and night concocted of how to get rid of you. If they can’t get what they want, they keep planning.”

He described those who would want a national commissioner removed as mostly external and some inside forces.

“So that is how it happens,” he told the MPs.

Asked about infiltration of SAPS and justice, crime prevention and security cluster as alleged by Mkhwanazi, Masemola said it was not everybody.

“It’s a small group of individuals or cartels. The whole purpose is to take control which of course we are not allowing to happen. We deal with the people who are sophisticated and know what they are doing.”

He also said it took time to know how those who do the infiltration play the system.

Asked about if he was satisfied with proper procedures for vetting within SAPS, Masemola said they were doing their best.

He noted that the capacity of the Crime Intelligence to conduct vetting was increased but they were not yet at the right number.

“I can confirm that we are not at a stage we are comfortable.”

However, Masemola said senior management staff submit financial disclosures and were subjected to lifestyle audits.

“Where there are red lights we investigate, we identify risks.”

He said the Crime Intelligence does not have capacity to fully vet the whole police workforce.

Masemola stated that SAPS had approached the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to assist with lifestyle audit of senior management staff because they have capacity and were an independent body.

“Not that I undermine the internal one,” said referring to SAPS internal capacity to conduct lifestyle audits.

Masemola said there have been various meetings with the SIU and that the unit will soon start working.

“We cleared shortfalls we found along the way. They will be vetting 840 or so. They will start with myself and make auditing of everyone.”

He added that while the SIU will concentrate on senior management, there are areas such as financial management and supply chain management that will be covered as well.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

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