Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has called for speculation to cease after reports of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s imminent arrest.
Reports claim Masemola faces possible arrest for authorising the irregular purchasing of buildings. It is alleged that the irregular procurements for Crime Intelligence buildings amounted to more than R120 million.
In a statement released on Sunday, Police Ministry spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, stated they had not been made aware of any impending arrest.
Mogotsi said the Police Ministry has also noted the response from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on this speculation.
The IDAC and the National Prosecuting Authority stated they have no intention of arresting or obtaining any arrest warrant for the National Police Commissioner.
“We plead with the media to avoid any speculation on this as speculation of this nature has an adverse impact on the named person and also has an effect of destabilising the work of the South African Police Service (SAPS),” Mogotsi said.
According to City Press, the Crime Intelligence secret service account is allocated more than R600 million annually. This money is used to pay police informants nationwide in exchange for information about criminal syndicates and criminal activities. However, there is little to no security on how the money is used.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL
