National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola has revealed he had not read the December 2024 directive disbanding the political killings task team until after media reports surfaced, despite the instruction being addressed to him and transmitted during his approved leave.
The admission, made on Friday during the fourth day of testimony before parliament’s ad hoc committee on criminal infiltration in the SA Police Service (SAPS), drew sharp responses from MPs and raised further questions about executive oversight, operational accountability and the chain of command within the SAPS.
Masemola stated that the directive was emailed to his office by police minister Senzo Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, but he became aware of its contents only after journalists began reporting on it in early January.
“I was on leave. I did not read the directive at the time it was sent,” he said. “I saw it later when it was already in the media.”
He reiterated that he had instructed divisional commissioners not to act on the directive until his return, but conceded that the instruction had already begun circulating internally.
EFF leader Julius Malema questioned Masemola about the arrest of Katiso “KT” Molefe, who was released on R400,000 bail during the hearings. Masemola confirmed that a journalist was present at the arrest but did not know their identity.
“I know that they did find Mr [Kenny] Kunene at that house,” he said.
DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach questioned whether Masemola had exercised adequate authority over subordinates allegedly involved in misconduct. Masemola acknowledged that he had not known of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala or Brown Mogotsi until Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi raised their names.
“I didn’t know them and I didn’t know of them until General Mkhwanazi spoke to me about a Brown Mogotsi. I must be honest, I didn’t know of that, but now I know.”
MK party MP Sibonelo Nomvalo asked whether Masemola had prior knowledge of Mogotsi, who has been linked to covert operations and procurement irregularities. Masemola responded: “I don’t know that guy and I do not have a police official with that name. So I don’t know who is he and he’s got no business in the South African Police Service.”
ActionSA MP Dereleen James asked whether the SAPS had considered deploying a specialised unit to the Cape Flats to address gang-related violence.
Masemola said the Western Cape had received more than 4,000 additional personnel over the past five years. “That shows we have interest in what is happening in the province and we are also doing our best to make sure we fight this gangsterism,” he said.
ANC MP Thokozile Sokanyile raised the issue of decentralising police powers to provincial governments. Masemola said the legal framework allows for functional delegation without new legislation. “If there is any function that is required by province, it can still be done in the current framework,” he said.
He warned against fragmentation, stating: “You have to have one single police service, one common norms, rules and standards nationally, otherwise one day you will have to get a passport to go to another province.”
MK party MP Vusi Shongwe asked whether Masemola was briefed on all SAPS’ operations. Masemola clarified that general detectives reported to him, but the Hawks reported directly to the minister.
“Cases that are investigated by general detectives of SAPS, yes, they will give me feedback. But cases that are investigated by the Hawks, they report to the minister, not to me.”
Masemola declined to comment on whether Mchunu should be arrested. “There is a case that is being investigated ... and one cannot comment on cases that are still under investigation.”
He also confirmed that he had not made a submission to the Office of the Chief Justice, which had invited evidence on judicial interference.
Evidence leader advocate Norman Arendse has indicated that written questions will be submitted to Masemola for follow-up.
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