National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has given testimony at the Madlanga Commission about alleged political interference in the murder case of ANC councillor Phendukani Mabhida.
Mabhida, a councillor from the Mandeni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, was killed earlier this year. He had been a vocal critic of corruption within the municipality prior to his death.
Commissioner Masemola stated that after two suspects were arrested by a special police unit in connection with the murder, suspended Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu became “visibly angry.” Masemola also confirmed that the case docket was quickly transferred to a different investigative team, the Political Killings Task Team, following the arrests.
This testimony has raised serious questions about potential obstruction of justice. The murder of political figures and whistleblowers has been a persistent issue, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal.
The public and commentators are now asking why a minister would react with anger to arrests in a high-profile murder case and if the transfer of the docket was an attempt to sabotage the investigation.
The Madlanga Commission continues to investigate these allegations.