National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola.
The national police commissioner’s office is to investigate a string of abuse of power, nepotism and corruption allegations contained in a forensic report on Mpumalanga commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela.
The probe was confirmed this week by Colonel Athlenda Mathe, spokesperson for national commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
Last week, the Mail & Guardian reported Masemola had allegedly buried a report exposing how Manamela had “demanded” a welcoming party to celebrate her appointment in July last year, where she was showered with R2.1-million worth of gifts.
Manamela, the forensic probe found, had also protected an alleged illegal mining syndicate in Mpumalanga by ordering the disposal of confiscated coal, and had a hand in the planned transfer of a Vosman police station commander, apparently because of his stand against illegal mining.
In a short statement to the M&G, Mathe said: “A senior officer has been appointed to investigate the veracity of the allegations levelled against the provincial commissioner of Mpumalanga.”
Mathe did not name the senior officer or mention the expected duration of the probe.
The investigation comes after the M&G unearthed “irresponsible” practices by officers allegedly abusing public funds to shower themselves with presents. In the latest instance, former Mpumalanga commissioner Mondli Zuma received gifts worth R183 000, bought with taxpayers’ money, at his farewell party in March last year.
Zuma did not respond to requests for comment.
Internal South African Police Service (SAPS) notes reveal that, on 15 March last year, a circular was issued from the Mpumalanga commissioner’s office for the three police districts — Nkangala, Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande — to purchase gifts in honour of Zuma’s five-year term as the province’s top cop.
The money for both Zuma and Manamela’s gifts were sourced from individual police stations’ “tea-club” budgets which, in the main, are for providing food for arrested suspects who are detained in holding cells.
According to the circular proposing a farewell for Zuma, the gifts to be bought by the three Mpumalanga districts were to be a “token of appreciation” for the outgoing provincial commissioner.
“Management has identified the need to host a farewell function in recognition and [appreciation] of our provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General BM Zuma, whose term of office draws to an end.
“A proposed gift list is attached for your convenience whereby the allocation of gifts per district is given as to prevent duplication,” reads the internal circular.
The gifts Zuma received, according to a list M&G has seen, included a TV set, a cellphone and a smartwatch, as well as a R2 095 handbag for his wife.
The provincial commissioner’s office contributed the most, with a R55 000 “donation”, followed by Ehlanzeni with R53 299, Nkangala R45 296 and Gert Sibande R38 652.
(Graphics: John McCann/M&G)
Zuma is no stranger to controversy. In November 2020, the M&G reported on his allegedly irregular purchase of 12 luxury vehicles, which were purportedly to be used by police officers but were apparently for Zuma’s personal use.
The 12 vehicles — some pre-owned and others new — included BMWs, an Audi, a Land Rover and a VW Caravelle T6, totalling R7 438 168.18.
The South African Police Union said the use of station budgets for “personal benefits” was irresponsible, adding that the officers being lavished gifts were “highly paid police generals and commanders”.
Spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale said: “The police service is not a monarchy; this practice has to come to an end.”
“Decisive action” was taken against junior employees when serious allegations of the misuse of state resources were raised and the same should happen with seniors.
“Functionary members on the ground are shown the door if caught misusing police vehicles. It, however, seems that there is still this notion that not all employees are equal before the law and that certain employees are treated with kid gloves,” Thobakgale said.
Thobakgale was alluding to the swift action taken against an officer, identified as a rapid-rail unit member, who attended a football game on 1 October drunk and danced for the crowd at Orlando Stadium. A video showing him escorted from the pitch was circulated on social media.
“The status and dignity of the SAPS badge and uniform must at all times be safeguarded and protected with pride, especially by police officers,” SAPS said in a statement this week.
“Therefore, the management of the SAPS views the unbecoming behaviour of the said member in a very serious light. SAPS will not hesitate to act against its own [officers] when found to be on the wrong side of the law.”
Thobakgale said SAPS displayed “double standards” because senior officers were able to make submissions before being suspended.
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