Top cop’s fate now in high court's hands

THE power struggle between national police commissioner Fannie Masemola and deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has had a direct and ripple effect on the morale and operational focus of members on the ground.

- NICOLA DANIELS and ZELDA VENTER

This was said by Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo amid the ongoing litigation between Sibiya and Masemola.

“When leadership is embroiled in public disputes or disciplinary challenges, it diverts attention away from the pressing task of fighting crime and building community trust. Members begin to feel uncertain about the stability of the organisation and question whether their daily sacrifices are matched by coherent, unified leadership”

Masemola ordered Sibiya, his deputy, responsible for crime detection, to stay at home for intentionally disobeying his instructions regarding the disbandment of the KwaZulu-Natal political task team investigating high-profile murders.

The task team is at the centre of the allegations of political interference in parts of the criminal justice system — claims that were made by KZN provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Sibiya turned to court this week for an urgent order to return to work after Masemola issued him with the stay-at-home order pending an investigation.