Staff Reporter.
Police commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola does not have a security clearance and has been working without one for the last four years.
Masemola was appointed as police commissioner in 2022.
According to News24, the country’s most senior police official was last vetted in 2014. The security clearance he received at the time expired in 2019.
The report states that Masemola tried to get his police clearance in 2019 but it wasn’t successful because he has debt.
“He did try to get his clearance, but the vetting process was stalled. It was stalled because he failed to explain what he was doing to deal with his debts. The status of one’s finances plays a huge role when one is being vetted,” a senior police officer told the publication.
Senior police officials cannot have problems with debt due to the risk of them becoming susceptible to criminals offering money in exchange for favours.
This means that Masemola has been working for four years without a security clearance certificate, which is vital for the police commissioner to do his job.
It also means that Masemola should not be given information about high-level police operations.
One of those operations is how the country’s police plans to tackle the EFF’s national shutdown on Monday.
Police Minister Bheki Cele told officers during a parade in Mayfair, Johannesburg, they should apply minimum force with transgressors, but show bravery when dealing with those who break the law during the protest.
“You have the right to fill prisons. All police trucks must be on standby to load those who break the law.
“Police vans must be full. If there is no space, continue arresting them. They must sleep standing. Ensure the law takes its course and the law doesn’t retreat. We will see later if they eat, drink or bathe.”
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.