Ramaphosa angered by criminal dockets removal

South African President President Cyril Ramaphosa has questioned his National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s decision to remove criminal dockets from the office of his suspended deputy, Shadrack Sibiya. The controversy involves 121 dockets from the Political Killings Task Team, with Ramaphosa calling Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia to express concerns about the timing of Masemola’s actions. The dispute stems from allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police chief Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Sibiya of criminal conduct and former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of protecting criminals. City Press reports that the dockets, initially investigated by the Political Killings Task Team, may not be handed back to the unit ahead of a Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) hearing to adjudicate on Sibiya’s future on Wednesday. Two senior sources within the security cluster said Ramaphosa called Cachalia to ask about Masemola’s move, which could undermine a commission of inquiry headed by retired Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga to investigate Mkhwanaz's claims . Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, confirmed the discussion between Cachalia and the President regarding Masemola’s decision on the dockets. ‘The President did express his displeasure to Minister Cachalia at both the action taken by General Masemola and the subsequent media statement. The President views it as imprudent for the leadership of the police to start tinkering with areas and/or issues that are contained in the allegations made by Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, which are now a subject of inquiry by the Madlanga Commission.'

According to Ramaphosa’s office, despite arguments that this was merely an administrative action, the dockets are at the centre of the impending commission. ‘The fact is, this is no ordinary matter or exercise of administrative powers. This is a matter that is now going to be a subject of the commission’s investigation. The President expects the leadership of the police to co-operate with the Minister and the commission in safeguarding the integrity of the work of the commission. Equally, the President expects both the Minister and General Masemola to maintain a professional and collegial relationship at all times, especially during their tenure of office,’ said Magwenya. City Press reports that Cachalia on Friday said he noted Masemola’s statement on the sidelines of the 27th Interpol African Regional Conference, regarding the return of 121 dockets to the task team. According to Cachalia, shortly after his appointment, he requested that Masemola furnish him with a detailed report on the task team, but the commissioner had not done so. ‘I was appointed by the President to ensure the integrity of the SAPS during this difficult time and to build public trust in this vitally important organisation. I recognise that the allegations made in relation to the Political Killings Task Team are of immense public interest,’ he said. The Daily Maverick reports that Cachalia delivered a speech addressing transnational organised crime during which he referred to corruption and said he was tired of ‘bureaucratic rhetoric and platitudes’.