Police Commissioner Masemola reveals 'criminal cartels' working to remove him from office

NATIONAL Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola yesterday expressed his wish to complete his term of office, a rarity for his predecessors, who faced premature exits.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

"I would want to finish the term," Masemola said when he was responding to chief evidence leader, Advocate Norman Arendse SC.

The inquiry is probing the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at a press briefing on July 6.

Masemola was appointed in April 2022 and his term comes to an end in 2027.

He said he was determined to complete his term, but there were those working tirelessly behind the scenes to undermine his authority and push for his removal.

"You will find there will be criminal cartels that will go to little corners to connive and come (up) with a case whether there is a case or not. The fact of the matter is that you have to be removed most importantly. That is the reality of the situation."

Masemola said there would be parallel structures that would want to manipulate the national commissioner and if they can't, they will come (up) with a plan to have him or her removed and replaced.