National Police Commissioner to lead investigation into Madlanga recommendations

Concerns are being raised over a special investigative task team to be formed to investigate the recommendations made in the Madlanga Commission’s three-month interim report.

On Thursday morning, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the need for a team to be formed by Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

The statement included the names of five senior-ranking SAPS members and nine Ekurhuleni municipal officials who need to be probed.

The fact that National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and will now spearhead a special investigative task team instructed to probe the recommendations made by the commission is concerning.

This is according to crime expert and Director of IRS Investigations, Chad Thomas.

"And it may be a concern that it doesn’t come across as objective having the current Commissioner of Police as the head of this task team," Thomas said. "Rather the fact that he may be subjective as we’ve clearly seen there’s two factions within the SAPS and DPCI that are fighting for control over these law enforcement agencies."

OFFICIALS UNDER INVESTIGATION
Among those to be investigated are:

Lesetja Senona: KZN Hawks boss.

SAPS’ Head of Organised Crime.

Julius Mkhwanazi: Suspended EMPD Chief.

Imogen Mashazi: Former Ekurhuleni City Manager.