Daphney Manamela
Suspended Mpumalanga provincial police commissioner Daphney Manamela has made a series of explosive allegations against senior figures in the South African Police Service, including former national commissioner Bheki Cele and current national commissioner Fannie Masemola.
Speaking at a media briefing held at Southern Sun in Mbombela on Sunday, April 19, Manamela claimed that Masemola personally intervened to prevent the arrest of Bobby Motaung, the football manager of Kaizer Chiefs, in connection with the murder of former Mbombela municipality speaker Jimmy Mohlala.
Manamela alleged that a R5 million bribe was paid to ensure Motaung was never arrested for his alleged involvement in Mohlala’s assassination.
Mohlala was gunned down after reportedly exposing corruption linked to a R1.2 billion tender tied to the construction of Mbombela Stadium ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The suspended commissioner further accused Cele of interfering in her duties, alleging that he showed undue interest in factional battles within the Mpumalanga African National Congress and in government tenders.
She claimed that Cele pressured her to arrest a Mpumalanga MEC during the ANC’s January 8 celebrations, an allegation that, if substantiated, could point to political interference in policing.
In another startling revelation, Manamela told the media that a suspect in a high-profile murder case had expressed willingness to confess to the killing of the daughter of Godrich Gardee, a senior member of the Economic Freedom Fighters. However, she alleged that a senior police official opposed the move, raising further concerns about obstruction of justice within the ranks.
Manamela did not present evidence during the briefing but indicated that documentation supporting her claims would be submitted to relevant authorities. None of the individuals implicated in the allegations have publicly responded at the time of publication, and the claims remain unproven.
The revelations are likely to intensify scrutiny on the leadership of the SAPS and could prompt calls for an independent investigation into alleged corruption and political interference within law enforcement structures.
“I am calling on the President of the Republic to institute an independent investigation into the rot that has reached the very top of our police service. I cannot be silent while those entrusted with national security are allegedly on the payroll of criminal syndicates,” she said
