During the Ad Hoc Committee hearings into corruption and political interference within the police, MK Party MP Sibonelo Nomvalo questioned former Police Minister Bheki Cele about social media posts shared by whistle-blower Patricia Mashale.
Nomvalo noted that suspended Minister Senzo Mchunu had attached Facebook posts in which Mashale accused top police generals of misusing funds from the secret Crime Intelligence account. In her posts, Mashale alleged that General Dumisani Khumalo and General Fannie Masemola were involved in financial misconduct.
“Senzo Mchunu attached Facebook posts in which [whistle-blower Patricia] Mashale made accusations about the abuse of money on the secret account in Crime Intelligence; she accused Gen. Khumalo and Gen. Masemola. Did you ever receive complaints of that nature?” Nomvalo asked.
In response, Cele dismissed Mashale’s claims and said he had never received any formal complaints regarding the alleged misuse of secret funds. “No, I have not, but if I had, I would take that information to the Inspector-General of Intelligence for verification. I would not take it at face value,” Cele stated.
The former minister went further, questioning Mashale’s credibility and role in such matters. “To start with, Mashale has nothing to do with knowing and understanding [that information]. She must be arrested,” Cele said, drawing sharp reactions from some committee members.
Patricia Mashale, a self-proclaimed whistle-blower, has previously claimed she faces persecution for exposing alleged corruption within police structures. Her statements have divided opinion, with some viewing her as a courageous whistle-blower and others as a source of unverified information.
The committee’s hearings continue this week as MPs probe further into claims of corruption, political interference, and misuse of state intelligence funds.
