Suspended Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Daphney Semakaleng Manamela accused National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola of failing to act on corruption warnings and protecting corrupt officers in the province.¹² Manamela made the allegations during a media briefing in Mbombela.²

Manamela said she was suspended while taking action against police officers involved in extortion and corruption.² She claimed Masemola instead believed what she described as a propaganda campaign against her, leading to her second suspension.¹ She said she made several unsuccessful attempts to secure Masemola's intervention regarding challenges she faced.¹²

The suspended commissioner further alleged that a provincial task team investigating serious cases was disbanded after her suspension.² She said there had been interference in political cases, illegal mining investigations, and kidnapping matters.²

South African Police Service national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the police and their legal department would consult with Manamela over the allegations.¹ Mathe said once the allegations were formally assessed, the matter would be referred to appropriate investigative units.¹

Mathe said the allegations could not be taken lightly or ignored.¹ She stated that any allegations of misconduct, wrongdoing, interference—whether criminal or political—or organisational failure were treated by SAPS with utmost seriousness, regardless of the rank or position of those involved.¹ Mathe emphasised that SAPS operational services remained intact and were not affected.¹