Tebogo Msimanga |
Action Society says it strongly condemns the appointment of “another ANC puppet” in such a critical policing role. This is after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola as the new National Commissioner of Police.
Action Society Spokesperson Ian Cameron said after what seemed to be lengthy interviews behind closed doors with a group of several candidates, President Ramaphosa announced the new top cop this afternoon. Earlier this month, the president told Members of Parliament in the National Assembly that a panel would embark on a process to appoint the next National Police Commissioner. General Khehla Sitole served his last day on Thursday 31 March 2022.
Lt Gen Masemola served as Limpopo Provincial Commissioner until 2013 when he was appointed as Deputy National Commissioner for Policing.
Cameron said there are far better internal candidates available to fill the role “such as Elias Mojewa and especially Lucky Mkwanazi”
“In Action Society’s opinion, Mkwanazi would have been the best candidate to lead the way. He is still young, was a special task force member and has an excellent track record of strong leadership in the South African Police. Lt Gen Masemola does not have a track record of solid leadership. In fact, members on the ground do not like him and say he is just waiting around until he can retire in a year or two.”
“He is not only a Cele-man but also a Zuma-man, and now he is a Ramaphosa-man – thus the ANC’s man. So the ANC is trying to cover as many lootable bases as possible before 2024.”
Cameron said the new National Commissioner may be a career policeman, “but he’s mostly worked with corrupt commissioners. However, just like Ramaphosa with Zuma, he never blew the whistle on any of them”.
