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IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Possible arrest of police commissioner Masemola could be a house of cards for the SAPS
Experts say more police officials are likely to be arrested and suspended with police commissioner Fannie Masemola. Image: GCIS 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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Next Stay Close ✕ 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.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Arrest claims linked to police commissioner Masemola
Experts say more police officials are likely to be arrested and suspended with police commissioner Fannie Masemola. Image: Picture: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola is facing possible arrest, which could result in the suspension of several police officials, 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 is 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. 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 are valued at R22.7 million and R22.8m, respectively. Sources said that President Cyril Ramaphosa was briefed and has given the go ahead. Crime expert and violence monitor, Mary de Haas, said the arrest, if it happens, means 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. On Sunday, 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 on Saturday said the directorate cannot comment on Whatsapp messages or discuss any 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. 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. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Arrest claims linked to police commissioner Masemola: What it means for the SAPS
Experts say more police officials are likely to be arrested and suspended with police commissioner Fannie Masemola. Image: GCIS Many police officials are likely to face the music and be suspended if police commissioner Fannie Masemola is 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 is 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. 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 are valued at R22.7 million and R22.8m, respectively. Sources said that President Cyril Ramaphosa was briefed and has given the go ahead. Crime expert and violence monitor, Mary de Haas, said the arrest, if it happens, means 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. Masemola on Sunday 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 on Saturday said the directorate cannot comment on Whatsapp messages or discuss any 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. [email protected]
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Masemola in firing line over multi-million rand buildings acquisition
Among the questionable purchases was the Kyalami Lodge in Midrand, bought for R48.25 million, R8 million more than the list price. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) says it cannot comment on any 'investigations', including speculation on the possible arrest of National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola. Masemola and four senior crime intelligence officers will each face at least four charges for their roles in the multi-million rand acquisition of buildings by the South African Police Services (Saps) Crime Unit Intelligence Unit, a source close to the investigation told The Citizen. 'IDAC has finally obtained a warrant of arrest against the national commissioner, General Fannie Masemola,' the source said. Idac spokesperson Henry Mamothame told The Citizen, they cannot comment on 'speculations nor can it discuss any investigations.' 'Idac is not aware of this investigation and even if it was in Idac's space we would not comment'. The Citizen has contacted police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe for comment, which will be included in the article once received. ALSO READ: 'No arrest warrant for police crime boss Fannie Masemola', IDAC says Saps buildings At the centre of the investigation is the decision by the Saps to buy five buildings without going through the normal procurement process through the Department of Public Works. Masemola, suspended Crime Intelligence head, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, acting Crime Intelligence Supply Chain head Brigadier Janse van Vuuren, Finance and Administration Services head Colonel Samamaya Mayekiso and Crime Ramaphosa briefed According to the source, President Cyril Ramaphosa has been briefed by IDAC for the intended arrest of Masemola, which is 'imminent.' 'The National Commissioner is facing the following charges, corruption, contravention of PFMA Act, 'Contravention of Treasurer Regulations in that he colluded with Lieutenants General Khumalo, Divisional Commissioner, Crime Intelligence and approved global deviation without following procurement prescripts and the abuse of Slush Funds from Secret Service Account of Crime Intelligence to acquire the properties,' the source said. Millions for buildings A document from the Institute for Development Alternatives and Corruption (IDAC) reveals that one of the transactions, the Crime Intelligence Unit bought the Kyalami Lodge in Midrand for a balloon amount of R48 250 000. 'This includes R8 000 000 in transfer costs for the 75 property.' On 13 September 2024, the application for the acquisition of the 75-bedroom Kyalami Lodge in Midrand was compiled by the section head: Supply Chain Management, Brigadier Janse van Vuuren. The Kyalami Lodge had been on the market for more than two years for R40 250 000. According to Idac insiders, investigators questioned how a building that was on the market for two years was sold for R8 million more than the list price,' City Press reported. Idac accused Masemola of failing to report to the Treasury and the Auditor-General within 10 days of the approval as required. ALSO READ: Police say Malema 'in a better position' to shed light on Masemola's arrest warrant [VIDEO] Malema Last month, EFF leader Julius Malema, during a briefing, alleged that Masemola would be arrested for conspiring with Khumalo, who was recently arrested for corruption and fraud. 'There is a warrant of arrest against Masemola. I don't know why he's not being picked up. It means someone, somewhere, is playing politics, and somehow they want to undermine, once more, the independence of our justice system. Masamola is being arrested for what he did with Khumalo in the crime intelligence.' Malema claims Masemola was supposed to be arrested the week following explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya, of political interference in police operations. No arrest warrant Mathe said they were not aware of any warrant for Masemola and that questions should be directed at Mamela, 'as he may be in a better position to respond with more information.' 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. ALSO READ: Corruption crisis deepens within Gauteng police force
