By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mpumalanga police commissioner Lt-Gen Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has been placed on suspension.
National Police pokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Manamela was suspended by national commissioner General Fannie Masemola over allegations of misconduct.
Mathe would not provide reasons for the suspension, saying “this remains a matter between employer and employee”.
Last year in October, a forensic report emerged into her misconduct secretly compiled by senior cops opposed to her rule and which got leaked.
The document details how Manamela was allegedly showered with gifts that include furniture by police stations across Mpumalanga.
It also shows how organisers for Manamela’s welcome party collected R1.7-million to shower her with gifts at SAPS “welcome parties” held in the different districts and a gala event held at The Ridge hotel in eMalahleni, at which she was introduced to communities and stakeholders across the province as the new police leader between July 2021 and December 2021.
According to the report, the gifts included a R78 410 TV stand, couches costing R60 000 as well as R82 332 worth of household appliances.
The forensic report is compiled by former Mpumalanga police boss Thulani Ntobela – seen as being aligned to Manamela’s opponents in SAPS – recommends that she should be investigated for alleged corruption, maladministration and nepotism, and the national head Masemola is asked to place her on suspension while he probes allegations contained in the report.
The battles in the provincial constabulary resemble those that once took South Africa by storm a decade ago when police minister Bheki Cele was the national commissioner and when his rival Richard Mdluli led under his command as intelligence unit boss.