Suspended Mpumalanga police chief accuses national commissioner of taking R5 million bribe
Lieutenant-General Daphney Manamela alleges senior officers received money to prevent her reinstatement and shield corruption cases.
Suspended Mpumalanga police chief accuses national commissioner of taking R5 million bribe
Lieutenant-General Daphney Manamela alleges senior officers received money to prevent her reinstatement and shield corruption cases.
Suspended Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Daphney Manamela accused National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola of receiving a R5 million bribe from football administrator Bobby Motaung at a media briefing in Mbombela.13 Manamela said Major General Botsotso Moukangwe allegedly confessed that he and Masemola received the payment from Motaung to ensure she did not return to her position and to prevent the reinstatement of fraud and corruption cases against Motaung.1
Manamela alleged the bribe was connected to fraud charges against Motaung and two others related to the Mbombela Stadium tender.1 She claimed the case docket was manipulated within the police system, with records showing it was booked to a senior public prosecutor on 11 October 2019 and returned the same day.1 Manamela further alleged a link between Motaung's cases and the murder of Jimmy Mohlala, who had raised concerns about the stadium construction.1
The suspended commissioner accused Masemola of protecting corrupt police officers and failing to act on warnings she raised about corruption within the province.23 She said she was suspended while taking action against officers involved in extortion and corruption, and that a provincial task team investigating serious cases was disbanded after her suspension.3 Manamela alleged there was interference in cases involving political matters, illegal mining, and kidnappings.3
Police national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the allegations were serious and could not be taken lightly or ignored.12 Mathe stated the police and their legal department would consult with Manamela and that the matter would be referred to appropriate investigative units once formally assessed.2 She emphasised that SAPS operational services remained intact and were not affected by the allegations.2