Deputy Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has criticised National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola for his public comments on the future of the task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
Cachalia said he was “deeply concerned” by Masemola’s remarks to the media, stressing that the issue should be left to the soon-to-be-established Madlanga Commission, which will probe political interference in the criminal justice system.
Task Team at the Centre of the Dispute
As Deputy Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya will host the controversial task team’s return to his office on Thursday, Masemola announced.
Cachalia, however, feels that this decision is hasty and compromises the integrity of the ongoing investigation. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, Cachalia stated,
“It is concerning that actions are being taken concerning this task team before the commission has had a chance to reach its own conclusions.”
ANC Calls for Accountability and Transparency
Cachalia emphasised that the task team investigating political killings is directly implicated in allegations raised by a provincial police commissioner and will form part of the commission’s discussions.
“These allegations are of significant public interest. Therefore, any action taken before the inquiry runs its course risks undermining accountability,” he said.
The Deputy Minister has now formally requested a full report from Masemola regarding his decision.