Police Minister calls for an end to speculation about National Commissioner Masemola's arrest
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has called for speculation to cease after reports of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola's imminent arrest.
Reports claim Masemola faces possible arrest for authorising the irregular purchasing of buildings. It is alleged that the irregular procurements for Crime Intelligence buildings amounted to more than R120 million.
In a statement released on Sunday, Police Ministry spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, stated they had not been made aware of any impending arrest.
Mogotsi said the Police Ministry has also noted the response from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on this speculation.
The IDAC and the National Prosecuting Authority stated they have no intention of arresting or obtaining any arrest warrant for the National Police Commissioner.
'We plead with the media to avoid any speculation on this as speculation of this nature has an adverse impact on the named person and also has an effect of destabilising the work of the South African Police Service (SAPS),' Mogotsi said.
According to City Press, the Crime Intelligence secret service account is allocated more than R600 million annually. This money is used to pay police informants nationwide in exchange for information about criminal syndicates and criminal activities. However, there is little to no security on how the money is used.
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Investigating the Crime Intelligence scandal: SAPS linked to property purchases
Crime Intelligence has been rocked by another scandal as the new information has revealed that the unit is in the process of purchasing two properties in Durban, through a company linked to members of SAPS. The properties would be purchased through Matla Storage (Pty) Limited, which was set up last year. The directors of two police officers who are stationed in Pretoria - Captain Madumetja Mabusela and Nomzamo Nqwelo. Certified fraud examiner and founder of Forensics for Justice, Paul O'Sullivan, forwarded this information to the National Prosecuting Authorities' Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and Office of the Inspector-General for Intelligence (OIGI). It is believed that the purchase has been approved. This comes as investigations into the alleged looting of the Crime Intelligence secret account continue following the arrest of Dumisani Khumalo, the head of the division, and seven others. Khumalo was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg this week after what authorities described as an 'extensive' investigation into the allegedly unlawful acquisition of two high-value properties. The properties include a boutique hotel in Pretoria North, Gauteng, reportedly purchased for R22.7 million and a commercial building in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, valued at R22.8m. Both acquisitions are alleged to have been made without the requisite ministerial approval. It has been alleged that Khumalo and the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, received kickbacks from these deals. The City Press on Sunday reported that Masemola could be arrested for the irregular procurement of crime intelligence buildings worth more than R120 million. For the two properties in Durban, it has been alleged that Matla Storage has drawn up the memorandum motivating the expenditure of R38m plus R10m in purported transfer costs. In the application for funds, seen by Independent Newspapers, the offer to purchase was accepted by the seller on December 30, 2024, for a purchase price of R22.8m in terms of the agreement. A deposit of R2m was paid on January 7, 2025. This was signed by Mabusela, who is also the supply chain management, and the acting head of finance and administration, Colonel S Mayekiso, as well as the chief financial officer, Major General Lushaba. Mabusela did not respond to messages and calls. Nqwelo also dropped the call when asked to respond. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the SAPS does not comment on any aspect related to the crime intelligence space. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the division cannot comment on matters under investigation or the sources of our investigations. 'Matters are referred to IDAC in terms of Sec 27 of the NPA Act and can be referred to us by anyone,' he said. OIGI spokesperson, Nomsa Mlambo, said the Inspector General will formally respond to the question on Monday (tomorrow). Masemola also did not respond to calls and messages. O'Sullivan said the involvement of the two police officials amounts to a conflict of interest. 'It is noted that both buildings are fully tenanted and use thereof for police officials cannot be obtained until they have been vacated." 'It is not stated what will happen to the rental income on both buildings, after same have been purchased, but before same are put to use by the police,' said O'Sullivan, adding that although the memorandum states that the transfer costs will be in the order of R10 million, it is clear that this is grossly exaggerated. 'Although the information note states that they will comply with the PFMA, they then go on to motivate why the purchase should be done in secret and without providing the best value for taxpayers' money. The shroud of secrecy being constantly used for buying high-priced immovable properties seems to be ultra vires the PFMA.' 'Finally, I have no idea if the heads stated in the motivation note are real heads or fictitious heads, to generate the 'need' to spend so much taxpayer funds. If the numbers are correct, the high levels of crime in Durban seem to indicate that the police officials are not actually working,' O'Sullivan said. The Crime Intelligence secret service account, also known as a slush fund, is allocated more than R600 million annually, which is used to pay police informants nationwide in exchange for information about criminal syndicates and their activities. Due to the nature of the transactions, there is little to no security of how the funds are used. Meanwhile, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) head of justice and violence prevention, Gareth Newham, said the recent arrests show that criminal activity occurs at the highest level of the leadership of this division. 'If corruption occurs at the top, you can be sure it occurs at all levels of this division. Hopefully, these arrests are the beginning of a wholesale clean-up of this division.' Newham added that Crime Intelligence capacity should be decentralised so that its capacity that is not tainted by involvement in crime and corruption, is allocated to specialised units tackling organised crime and corruption, such as the Hawks, the IDAC, and the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit. 'Moreover, intelligence capacity should be made available to support detectives and visible policing across all SAPS districts and stations to ensure that those involved in crimes harming our communities are effectively targeted and dismantled,' he said. The DA said it expected more arrests of high-ranking and senior officials of the SAPS to follow. The party also called on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to ensure that the full might of the law prevails and that these arrests lead to the imprisonment of those found guilty of wrongdoing. [email protected]
The Star
9 hours ago
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Minister of Police cautions against speculation over National Police Commissioner's alleged arrest
Siyabonga Sithole | Published 7 hours ago Police minister, Senzo Mchunu has cautioned South Africans against speculating over the alleged imminent arrest of National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. This comes after media reports indicated that the commissioner is being sought by law enforcement agencies over his alleged involvement in the alleged looting of the Crime Intelligence secret service account. Dumisani Khumalo, the head of the Crime Intelligence division within the South African Police Service (Saps) and seven others have been linked to the probe into the alleged looting of the Crime Intelligence secret service account as well as the appointment of 30-year-old Dineo Mokwele to an executive position within Crime Intelligence in April last year. It is reported that Mokwele was appointed to the position despite her having no policing capabilities, knowledge or skills. Khumalo and his co-accused, who were arrested on Thursday, are charged with four counts of corruption and fraud were released on bail following their appearance before the Pretoria Magistrates Court. Khumalo was arrested amid reports by authorities that his arrest comes after an 'extensive' investigation into the allegedly unlawful acquisition of two high-value properties. However, Masemola's involvement has been denied by the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) which has indicated that it is not in the process of arresting or obtaining an arrest warrant for the National Police Commissioner. The reports had indicated that Masemola could be arrested for the irregular procurement of crime intelligence buildings worth more than R120 million. Speaking on Sunday police minister spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi said the Mchunu had noted with concern media reports speculating about an imminent arrest of the National Commissioner of Police. "As the Ministry of Police, we have not been made aware of such impending arrest. We have also noted the response from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on this speculation. We plead with the media to avoid any speculation on this as speculation of this nature has an adverse impact on the named person and also has an effect of destabilising the work of the South African Police Service," Mogotsi said. In the weekend, IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame said:"We do not comment on matters under investigation. IDAC is not in the process of getting a warrant of arrest for the national police commissioner.' [email protected]
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
Police Minister calls for an end to speculation about National Commissioner Masemola's arrest
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has called for speculation to cease after reports of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola's imminent arrest. Reports claim Masemola faces possible arrest for authorising the irregular purchasing of buildings. It is alleged that the irregular procurements for Crime Intelligence buildings amounted to more than R120 million. In a statement released on Sunday, Police Ministry spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, stated they had not been made aware of any impending arrest. Mogotsi said the Police Ministry has also noted the response from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on this speculation. The IDAC and the National Prosecuting Authority stated they have no intention of arresting or obtaining any arrest warrant for the National Police Commissioner. 'We plead with the media to avoid any speculation on this as speculation of this nature has an adverse impact on the named person and also has an effect of destabilising the work of the South African Police Service (SAPS),' Mogotsi said. According to City Press, the Crime Intelligence secret service account is allocated more than R600 million annually. This money is used to pay police informants nationwide in exchange for information about criminal syndicates and criminal activities. However, there is little to no security on how the money is used. [email protected] IOL
