Masemola defends SAPS independence at Madlanga Commission

By Johnathan Paoli

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola took the stand at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria on Monday, where he mounted a strong defence of the South African Police Service’s operational independence and questioned former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

Masemola, who joined the SAPS in 1987 and has spent 38 of his 60 years in uniform, was pressed by Justice Mbuyiseni Madlanga on the limits of his accountability to the Minister of Police.

Citing Section 207(2) of the Constitution, which requires the National Commissioner to manage the police “in accordance with national policy and the directions of the cabinet member responsible for policing,” Madlanga asked whether Masemola would obey an instruction from the minister if it lacked a legal basis.

“Although such a refusal could be career-limiting, I would not comply if the order strayed into operational