The Sisulu Foundation for Social Justice has voiced strong support for National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola following sharp criticism over his decision to return 121 political killings dockets to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Political Killings Task Team.

The move, which reignited tensions between police leadership and political oversight, came after Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia condemned Masemola’s decision, accusing him of sidelining the ministerial office by reviving investigations without consultation.

The task team was disbanded by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who had initially set it up in 2019 as part of efforts to implement the Moerane Commission’s recommendations on political killings.

Cachalia expressed displeasure last Friday with Masemola’s unilateral announcement regarding the transfer of the dockets back to the investigative team

“Masemola revived the team’s work without informing me and kept me in the dark about the status of these sensitive investigations,” said Cachalia.

President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly echoed these concerns, questioning why the dockets were initially removed from the office of suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and voicing unease over the timing of Masemola’s actions, especially with a delayed judicial commission of inquiry—the Madlanga Commission—now set to investigate these matters.

On Tuesday,  Cachalia and  Masemola agreed that 121 dockets linked to political killings will be submitted to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in the required format.

This followed criticism of Masemola’s decision to return the dockets to KwaZulu-Natal, which reportedly angered President Cyril Ramaphosa. The meeting clarified the roles of Cachalia, who has executive authority, and Masemola, who holds operational authority. Both pledged to work professionally and to consult and report regularly on sensitive matters.

Cachalia’s spokesperson said their joint aim is to restore trust in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and strengthen its ability to investigate political killings, corruption-related crimes, and threats to national security. SAPS will support the Madlanga Commission, ensuring dockets remain intact for investigation. Urgent cases will be acted on quickly.

Ramaphosa emphasised that the Commission must be protected from interference and expects cooperation between SAPS and the Minister. Cachalia previously demanded a report from Masemola on the task team, which has not been delivered. Some critics accused Cachalia of interference, but his office said his actions are within his legal mandate. Masemola has also announced plans to create a similar specialised unit in Gauteng

However, the Sisulu Foundation CEO, Mphumzi Mdekazi, stated in an interview with IOL on Tuesday that those questioning Masemola are undermining the ongoing investigations.

“Political battles should never deter police work. The commission does not function as a court of law, and the evidence still requires testing… Whoever obstructs the police from arresting those responsible for heinous crimes is a criminal themselves.”

Mdekazi stressed that General Masemola’s actions fall squarely within his operational purview. 

“The National Police Commissioner is correct because justice cannot wait for a deliberately delayed Madlanga commission. Masemola is a police officer; others are politicians. He must be allowed to do his work without hindrance.”

He further criticized those opposing the commissioner. 

“It is not clear why some are fuming and irritated by someone performing his policing duties. In fact, those who are fuming are known as lethal and serial obstructionists and defeatists towards the end of justice.”

Addressing concerns about sealing documents of political killings, the foundation suggested legal challenges awaited.

“The real question to probe is what is in these dockets, whose names must be protected with such efforts, as though we are protecting those inside these sealed documents,” added Mdekazi.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that President Ramaphosa had discussed the matter with Acting Police Minister Cachalia. 

“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,” Magwenya told the City press.

“This is no ordinary administrative matter. These dockets are now a subject of the commission’s investigation. The President expects the leadership of SAPS to cooperate fully with the minister and the commission to protect the integrity of its work.”

Security expert Willem Els, from the Institute for Security Studies, also weighed in, backing Masemola’s authority.

“The Minister doesn’t have day-to-day powers to run policing. The National Commissioner is the overall Commander of all policing; he manages daily police operations and is accountable to the Minister but also acts independently as required by constitutional obligations,” Els explained.

He stated, “The Minister has no obligation to meddle in police investigations.”

thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za

IOL Politics

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