Possible arrest of police commissioner Masemola could be a house of cards for the SAPS
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Many police officials are likely to face the music and be suspended if police commissioner Fannie Masemola was to be arrested, according to crime analysts.
This comes in the wake of allegations that the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) obtained a warrant of arrest against Masemola.
The alleged arrest was related to abuse of slush funds from the secret service account of crime intelligence.
It has been alleged that Masemola conspired with Lieutenant-General Duminsa Khumalo, head of crime intelligence, to purchase properties without adhering to proper procedures.
This involves the purchase of the Veroz Boutique Hotel in Pretoria North and Kyalami Lodge in Midrand.
Veroz Boutique Hotel, which has 23 bedrooms and a presidential suite, is valued at R43,400,000 and Kyalami Lodge, with 75 bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms, is valued at R48,250,000.
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Both properties were acquired in September last year and were allegedly approved by Khumalo, who was arrested for fraud and corruption related to the purchase of a boutique hotel in Pretoria North and a commercial building in Durban.
The properties were valued at R22.7 million and R22.8m, respectively.
Sources said that President Cyril Ramaphosa was briefed and has given the go ahead for the arrest.
Crime expert and violence monitor, Mary de Haas, said the arrest, if it happened, would mean more officials could be suspended and arrested.
De Haas said this could even expose why Khumalo and his co-accused have not been suspended.
'There are many interesting things to watch out for here. Khumalo and Major-General Philani Lushaba (the chief financial officer), have not been suspended. It will be interesting to see what happens to them,' she said.
The allegations came after EFF leader Julius Malema last month told journalists that a warrant of arrest was issued against Masemola but a press briefing held by the KZN police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who blew the whistle about infiltration within law enforcement, caused the postponement of the alleged arrest.
Malema said Masemola conspired with Khumalo to purchase the properties in Pretoria and Durban.
'There are a lot of imponderables here,' De Haas said.
Yesterday, Masemola said he was not aware of the warrant of arrest, adding that questions should be referred to IDAC.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe also said the matter should be discussed with IDAC.
An IDAC spokesperson said on Saturday that the directorate cannot comment on WhatsApp messages or discuss investigations.
Meanwhile, political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said the arrest will prove Mkhwanazi's claims that all is not well in the SAPS and a broader criminal justice system.
'If one were to stretch one's imagination, the rot permeates the entire institution of the SAPS and other institutions within the criminal justice system, and I dare say the broader state institutions.
"Factionalism and political interference are real within the SAPS as is the case with the ruling party. It is an open secret that the powers that be in the SAPS are friends with gangsters. South Africa is a crime scene and even the commander in chief has a cloud hanging over his head with regard to the Phala Phala saga,' Ndlovu said.
Another political analyst, Professor Sipho Seepe, said the speculation should be viewed within the context of Mkhwanazi's claims, implicating the entire criminal justice system in the act of possible corruption.
'Should the speculation regarding the imminent arrest of the National Commissioner prove to be true, they will send an unequivocal message that no one is above the law. This will be the case if this is not another ploy to remove individuals considered inconvenient by the establishment, 'he said.
manyane.manyane@inl.co.za
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