🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
Suspended Mpumalanga police commissioner alleges political and business interference in policing
via The Citizen2 min read
Suspended Mpumalanga police commissioner Daphney Manamela has made allegations against her colleagues and national police commissioner Fannie Masemola, claiming that politicians and businesspeople have compromised policing in the province. Manamela stated that police officers in Mpumalanga interfere in investigations related to political killings, manipulation of the docket management system, illegal mining, extortion, and human trafficking. She also questioned the source of funding for home appliances awarded to Saps members at the 2025 Excellence Awards. Manamela further alleged that a police officer confessed to receiving a R5 million bribe, shared with top police officials, to prevent her return to work, which would lead to the reopening of cases, including those involving the Mbombela stadium construction. She claimed her suspension by General Masemola was for enforcing discipline. In response, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated that the South African Police Service is taking the allegations seriously and will subject them to investigative processes to establish facts. Mathe indicated that independent oversight bodies would be used to ensure impartiality and public confidence. She added that Manamela would be called for consultation to establish the facts and that decisive action would be taken if wrongdoing is found. Mathe also dismissed Manamela's stated reasons for her suspension, noting that it is an employer-employee matter and Manamela is aware of t
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