Investigation into commissioner can continue
MBOMBELA - Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, the controversial provincial police commissioner, is back in the hot seat.
Since allegations of fraud, misappropriation of funds, maladministration and abuse of her powers as police commissioner came to light two years ago, she has been in a running battle to try and save her job.
Last Friday, the Pretoria High Court rejected her interdict application to prevent a board of inquiry appointed by General Fannie Masemola, the national police commissioner, from investigating her.
The investigation into Manamela was launched after the release of a forensic report drafted by Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela, a former provincial police commissioner. The forensic audit by iFirm, a company owned by Ntobela, was done after he had been approached by several frustrated senior police officers working under Manamela.
The report highlighted incidents of alleged fraud, mismanagement as well as overstepping of powers when Manamela allegedly transferred senior officers without having the authority to do so.
This investigation against her was led by Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, and, based on Kwena’s report, Masemola not only suspended Manamela in February last year, shortly after she had led the parade during the State of the Province speech, but also appointed the board of inquiry to investigate her further.
In retaliation, she approached the Pretoria High Court and her suspension was set aside. She then again approached the courts to interdict the board. In his ruling, Judge J Makhoba, said Masemola has lost confidence in Manamela and does not have to prove the allegations of misconduct, which can be determined by the board of inquiry. “Sections 8 and 9 of the SAPS Act empower the national commissioner of the police to suspend a provincial commissioner and also to establish a board of inquiry in respect of that commissioner,” read the judgment.