Civil organisations and experts say National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola's summons could be politically motivated to protect those implicated in corruption.
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Media
The summons issued against National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, to appear before the court has raised concerns over 'a strategy to protect those implicated in corruption'.
The Activists and Citizens Forum (ACF) has described the summons as 'a fightback by those hellbent on capturing the police services and the entire criminal justice system'. At the same time, Change.org issued a petition calling for the removal of Advocate Andrea Johnson as head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
Masemola was served with a summons last week to appear in court on April 21. While he has not been charged with corruption directly, he reportedly faces four counts related to his alleged failure to comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
This is after twelve other senior police officers were arrested and charged with fraud, corruption, and money laundering in connection with an irregular R360 million health services tender awarded to Medicare 24, a company owned by businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Masemola reportedly failed to act quickly enough to intervene in the contract despite warnings of irregularities.
ACF said the arrest of 12 police officers was 'also a strategy put together to blindfold the public with the real motive and plan'.
“Everybody can see that this is clearly a fightback from those who are hellbent on capturing the police services and the entire criminal justice system by charging Masemola," said spokesperson Dennis Bloem, adding that although Masemola is not an angel, he does not deserve this treatment from IDAC.
“We can say without any doubt that Commissioner Masemola is not a rogue police officer, unlike so many of his colleagues, some of whom are generals who are implicated at the Madlanga Commission and the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee. It is strange that not one of them is charged, but rather Commissioner Masemola, who is busy cleaning the SAPS,” Bloem said.
On the other hand, Change.org has called for the removal of Johnson for the alleged 'misuse of power and a discernible pattern of behaviour that might indicate improper and selective targeting, particularly towards high-ranking police officials'.
The organisation also issued a petition regarding the matter.
“This is a critical issue for many of us who believe in justice and fairness as foundational principles of our democracy. The integrity of law enforcement agencies is imperative for maintaining public trust. It is deeply troubling to imagine individuals in power misusing their influence to pursue personal vendettas or protect particular interests, especially in entities tasked with upholding justice and combating corruption,” said the organisation.
Asked to comment, IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the claims by Change.org are unfounded and disingenuous, adding that IDAC had already released a statement and will not comment further.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, IDAC officially dismissed allegations that it is deliberately targeting senior officials of the SAPS. The directorate maintains that its actions are based solely on evidence and due legal process.
In the statement, Mamothame said the investment was referred to them by the SAPS Risk Audit Unit in 2024, not by external political committees or recent public commissions.
He labelled the targeting allegations as “irresponsible” and “reckless”, warning that such false narratives could destabilise the fight against corruption and undermine public trust in law enforcement.
In November 2025, Johnson told the Ad Hoc Committee that IDAC operates independently of SAPS, focusing on corruption and state integrity rather than internal disciplinary issues.
Evidence at the Madlanga Commission detailed how senior officials on the bid evaluation committee allegedly bypassed standard procedures and received bribes and gifts to facilitate the award.
The commission was established in July 2025 following a “bombshell” media briefing held on July 6, 2025, by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi alleged that senior officials, including the Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu and suspended Deputy National Commissioner, Lieutenant- General Shadrack Sibiya, orchestrated a plot to sideline Masemola to facilitate political interference in law enforcement.
Masemola also told the Ad Hoc Committee that there were ongoing “plans day and night” by criminal cartels and internal forces to have him removed. He stated that these groups use “parallel structures” to manipulate or destabilise SAPS leadership.
Security expert Willem Els said it is possible that Masemola could be targeted, adding that there have been a lot of character assassinations following Mkhwanazi’s media briefing.
Els added that this is a war between “good and evil” and that those on the wrong side are pulling their propaganda machinery to discredit those on the good side.
“We saw how character assassination started to come in ever since Mkhwanazi’s press conference,” he said.