National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is set to appear before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating systemic corruption within SAPS on Thursday, following jaw-dropping testimony by KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi, during his two-day testimony that concluded Wednesday, claimed Masemola narrowly escaped arrest due to a sinister political plot linked to interference in Hawks (DPCI) appointments.

“The national commissioner was on the doorstep of prison – not because he did anything wrong, but because he was caught in a plan,” Mkhwanazi told MPs, alleging a politically connected figure tried to hijack the Hawks leadership.

Crime Intelligence Boss, Lt-Gen. Dumisani Khumalo, was arrested was in June 2025 on charges of fraud and corruption, along with six other senior police officials.

According to Mkhwanazi, this was stop investigation into the corruption in the police ministry as well as the judiciary.

Masemola will answer to his role in that saga, the abrupt disbandment of the SAPS political killings task team, and alleged corruption inside Crime Intelligence.

MPs are also expected to probe discrepancies between his statement and his testimony at the Madlanga Commission, where Minister Senzo Mchunu was implicated.

Evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse will lead Masemola’s examination, followed by direct questioning from committee members.

Mkhwanazi’s explosive testimony painted a picture of a police service under siege by political manipulation — with Masemola cast both as a victim and a key player.

Masemola’s appearance could prove pivotal in the high-stakes probe into SAPS leadership and the integrity of state policing structures.

Once Masemola concludes, the suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya is expected to testify.

The inquiry continues to expose the dangerous entanglement of politics and policing in South Africa’s highest law enforcement ranks.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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