Criminal case lodged against Masemola over alleged nepotism, corruption

The complaint was filed on Friday at the Cape Town Central Police Station by party leader Fadiel Adams.

Speaking the media outside the police station, Adams alleged that several of Masemola’s family members are employed in senior positions within SAPS without the proper qualifications or credentials. 

He also raised concerns about Acting Deputy National Commissioner Tebello Mosikili, whom he claims has unresolved allegations of misconduct.

"We have laid a criminal complaint against General Masemola for nepotism because so many of his family members work at SAPS in his office, many of them without the right credentials. We are not coming here accusing anyone of anything without any evidence,” Adams said. 

He added that the complaint includes detailed documentation listing names, dates, and positions, and requested that the investigation be transferred to the anti-corruption unit in Pretoria, which will determine whether charges should proceed to court.

"We are actually putting names, dates, time frames into what we have and we’re saying we’d like to have this investigated. Now the National Commissioner can do a very simple thing. He can come out and deny it. Let him deny it."

Adams further stressed that the issue is more than just an HR matter.

"It cannot be an HR matter if it keeps on happening. That tells me HR is compromised, that HR is captured and controlled. How do you get six of your family members and an alleged girlfriend into high positions with no experience?"

He also criticised SAPS leadership for failing to act on misconduct and warned that the police service is at risk of being viewed as “one big crime scene”.

"The South African Police Service is fast becoming one big crime scene, and it’s all happening under the tutelage of one Fannie Masemola."

This is the second criminal complaint Adams has filed this week against senior SAPS officials, the first being against KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Adams insists he will continue pressing for accountability.

"Remember, we are not here making allegations. We have evidence, and people like Patricia Mashale and I will bring paperwork to prove who is really running SAPS."

He also confirmed he will testify before the Madlanga Commission once SAPS officials provide evidence, emphasising the importance of presenting full, substantiated testimony. 

KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has previously accused Adams at the Madlanga Commission of abusing his access to classified intelligence, saying it affected the work of crime intelligence. 

Adams has also laid charges of perjury against Mkhwanazi. 

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