While some South Africans and political parties have welcomed National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s decision to return 121 investigation dockets to KwaZulu-Natal, President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly angry over the move.

The dockets, central to allegations of political interference made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, were initially removed from the province and have now been returned to allow the local investigative team to resume its work. 

In July, Mkhwanazi accused the now-suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in police operations, including ordering the disbandment of the high-profile Political Killings Task Team and the removal of the 121 dockets. 

He also alleged that Mchunu was protecting individuals implicated in politically motivated crimes.

According to a City Press report, President Ramaphosa was upset about Masemola’s decision.

He wanted to know why the dockets were taken from the office of suspended deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya to begin with.

Ramaphosa reportedly contacted acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia to voice concerns about the timing of Masemola’s actions, especially with a judicial commission of inquiry set to investigate the matter.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said President Ramaphosa spoke to Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia about the matter. 

He explained that while the return of the dockets might look like a simple administrative move, it’s actually central to what the commission is set up to investigate.

“This is no ordinary administrative matter. These dockets are now a subject of the commission’s investigation,” Magwenya told the publication.

“The President expects the leadership of SAPS to cooperate fully with the minister and the commission to protect the integrity of its work.”

According to the publication, Magwenya added that Ramaphosa expects both Cachalia and Masemola to maintain a professional and collegial working relationship during this sensitive period.

On Friday, August 29,  Cachalia responded publicly to Masemola’s announcement, noting that he had earlier requested a detailed report on the Task Team from the National Commissioner – a report he has yet to receive.

“The President announced the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry on July 13, 2025 to probe the allegations made by the Provincial Commissioner concerning the Task Team and other related matters,” said Cachalia’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi.

Cachalia said that his appointment by Ramaphosa came with a mandate to ensure the integrity of SAPS and to rebuild public trust in the police service.

“I recognise that the allegations surrounding the Political Killings Task Team are of immense public interest,” said Cachalia. 

“Given the gravity of the matter, it is concerning that actions are being taken before the commission has had an opportunity to investigate.”

He reiterated his request for Masemola to submit the report without further delay.

However, Cachalia’s comments sparked backlash from some political parties and members of the public. They accused him of political interference – similar to the claims made against Mchunu.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemned Cachalia, saying he was undermining the SAPS’s work in investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The party said Masemola’s decision to return the dockets was an effort to correct previous obstruction and allow stalled investigations to continue.

“Instead of supporting this necessary step, Cachalia criticised it, citing an overdue report he has yet to receive,” the EFF said.

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party also supported Masemola’s move.

“The fact that these crucial dockets were ever removed points to a deliberate attempt to derail investigations into politically motivated killings. While we welcome their return, we remain deeply concerned that their integrity may have already been compromised.”

In response, Cachalia denied any interference. 

His spokesperson, Mogotsi, clarified that the minister’s concerns fall within his constitutional and legal responsibilities as the political head of the department.

“The Minister of Police has no intention of suspending or obstructing SAPS investigations. His concern is that the dockets were returned without a clear plan and prior to the commission’s investigation,” Mogotsi told IOL News.

She added that Cachalia had earlier been informed by Masemola of a gradual dissolution of the Political Killings Task Team, and had requested a clear strategy to handle these politically sensitive investigations, including strengthening efforts in Gauteng.

The 121 dockets lie at the heart of claims made by Mkhwanazi, a senior officer known for his tough stance against corruption. 

He claimed that Mchunu’s actions amounted to obstruction of justice. Mchunu, now on special leave, has denied the allegations as “baseless.”

The Political Killings Task Team was formed in 2019 following the 2016 Moerane Commission, which investigated the causes of political violence in KwaZulu-Natal and issued recommendations for resolving politically motivated murders. 

Masemola has since announced plans to establish a similar unit in Gauteng.

The commission of inquiry, announced by Ramaphosa in July, is expected to begin its probe into the handling of the dockets and the broader issues of political interference in SAPS operations.

Meanwhile, Sibiya’s legal battle to overturn his forced leave of absence has been delayed, after his legal team requested the matter be removed from the urgent court roll. 

The applicants are now seeking a special allocation for the case to be heard at a later date.

Sibiya had approached the courts after being ordered to step aside by Masemola following the allegations made against him by Mkhwanazi.

IOL Politics

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