Retired deputy national commissioner Lieutenant-General Francinah Vuma is giving her testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Retired Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Francinah Vuma on Wednesday accused former police minister Bheki Cele of being part of a sinister plot aimed at tarnishing her reputation and possibly endangering her life.
Testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee, Vuma said she was informed by a brigadier that Cele, alongside axed lieutenant-general Bonang Ngwenya, orchestrated a plan to have her falsely charged over non-existent allegations regarding the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She claimed that this plan was motivated by her refusal to support Cele's preferred list of companies for tender awards, which allegedly did not align with the National Treasury’s official documentation.
“I believe it has to do with that particular matter,” Vuma said. “They wanted to deal with me as if I did not support the minister in what he wanted.”
She elaborated that the urgent need for PPE procurement, prompted by the state of disaster declared in March 2020, had led to a crowded market, where many companies lacked stock due to overwhelming demand.
According to Vuma, the National Treasury provided a centralised mechanism for PPE procurement, but pressure mounted from Ngwenya to award contracts to specific companies linked with Cele.
“I said we will not be purchasing because there are due processes to be adhered to. Those companies were not part of the transversal contract,” she told the MPs.
She claimed Cele had berated them for not implementing his instruction.
Vuma also said when the plan to implicate her with false charges was not successful, a plot to kill her was allegedly hatched.
“The person told me that he was in that meeting when that discussion took place said I must not take this thing lightly. I never confronted the minister,” she said, adding that she had informed then national commissioner Khehla Sitole, who organised a threat assessment and provided her with protection.
Vuma told the MPs she laid no criminal charges on the matter.
She said that on May 11, 2023, an armed robbery took place at her house when three-armed men stormed into her bedroom pointing firearms at her.
“They took all the gadgets and some items in the house.”
This happened when she was on suspension and the matter was to be heard at the Bargaining Council.
Vuma said during her ordeal, she started a conversation with the ringleader, who informed her that they knew she was a police officer and that she had a safe with a firearm.
“He told me they have been sent to kill me. I asked who asked them, but he did not say.”
Vuma also said she had told the armed men that she was dismissed, and the police had taken their equipment.
“He started to protect me and said to the others, go take whatever you want and leave mama alone.”
Upon being told there were also her children in the house, the gunmen took electronic devices.
“They turned my room upside down. They were searching for something. They took iPads, iPhones, and laptops.”
Vuma said the armed men came at least four times.
“When they came for the second time, fortunately, I locked security to the bedroom.
They could not enter. They took the TV and other items,” she said.
She said when they came for the fourth time, the police and security guards knew where they would jump in.
“They shot one of them and the other was arrested.”
According to Vuma, the injured suspect was to make a confession and do pointing out at her house when the officers transporting them were allegedly redirected to Mamelodi police station by a police colonel.
“On arrival, they were told to go and verify the address of the suspect. When they arrived there, they found criminals who threatened them and said leave the suspect, or else they will kill them. The constable and the warrant officer were charged with disciplinary hearing for that particular matter.”
Asked by evidence leader Advocate Bongiwe Mlkhize why she had no protection following the threat assessment, Vuma said the first incident took place in 2021.
“The attack happened in 2023, and I was on suspension. There is gap between the two incidents,” she said.
“In as much some of the information is not in the statement, you (evidence leaders) agreed I will elaborate on other things. It is important to elaborate on serious issues. This one is very serious. I endured pain,” said Vuma.