Parliament hears Masemola doesn't believe SAPS is in a state of crisis

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola believes crime and policing in the country are not in crisis.

Masemola told Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating corruption in the criminal justice system that there’s been a notable improvement in enrolling cases since KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s July press conference.

Masemola was giving testimony on the third day of the parliamentary hearings into Mkhwanazi’s claims.

Masemola took to the stand to give testimony and face members of Parliament (MPs) following Mkhwanazi’s marathon two-day session.

He was asked by evidence leader advocate Norman Arendse whether policing is in a state of crisis following Mkhwanazi’s allegations of widespread corruption.

“I will not describe it as the police service is in a state of crisis.”

Masemola was also asked whether issues raised by Mkhwanazi have been addressed or corrected since his July briefing.

He told the committee that things have improved drastically, including cases involving the political killings task team, which had previously struggled to register cases.

“[Regarding the] enrolment of cases, I would say it improved drastically. In the past, I know that it would take various members, even the PKTT [Political Killings Task Team], tremendous effort to get cases enrolled.”

Masemola’s testimony continues, where he will face more questions around suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s influence and the alleged moratorium on filling vacancies in the police.