Retraction and apology to Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela
Lowveld Media unreservedly apologises to the provincial police commissioner, and sets the record straight.
On October 12, and via this news website, Lowvelder reported that Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, Mpumalanga’s top cop, was suspended.
The same article referred back to her previous suspension on February 24, which has since been set aside by the Gauteng North High Court.
The SAPS spokespeople, brigadiers Selvy Mohlala and Athlenda Mathe, have denied allegations of her suspension, confirming that she remains the province’s top cop.
Lowvelder unreservedly retracts its report dated October 12 and apologises sincerely to Manamela and any others who might have been affected by the previously mentioned publication.
The report herewith retracted was published on October 12, and stated the following:
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, Mpumalanga’s top cop, has reportedly been suspended again.
Earlier this year, Lowvelder reported that Manamela was suspended on February 24 by national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, after she was implicated in a damning forensic report drafted by Lieutenant General Thulani Nthobela, a former police commissioner for the province.
Nthobela based his report on evidence supplied to him by a group of senior officers, who, among others, were working at the provincial head office. Some of the allegations against her were based on an alleged abuse of power that now, for the second time this year, has come back to haunt her.
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She had been accused of abuse of power, nepotism and corruption, among others. The allegations that were uncovered in the forensic report included that Manamela had allegedly benefitted illegally from R1.7m in tea club money from various police stations across the province, which was meant to buy food for suspects held in police cells.
According to a forensic report authored by an investigative law firm, the I-Firm, Manamela promoted a family member of hers and his wife to higher ranks even though he was allegedly facing criminal charges and she allegedly did not possess the relevant qualifications for the post to which she was promoted.
In a R1.7m spending spree, she allegedly received vouchers for furniture when she was appointed provincial commissioner three years ago. The forensic report also found that she allegedly demanded that some of these vouchers to the value of more that R130 000 be exchanged for cash.
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The forensic report was only meant for Masemola’s eyes. It was, however, leaked to, among others, Mail and Guardian and Rio-Jab. Lowvelder also saw a copy of the report.
Only minutes after Manamela had stepped off the red carpet after leading a formal procession for the premier during the opening of parliament at the State of the Province Address, she was carted away to her office by senior police officers.
When she arrived there, she was met by an entourage led by Masemola. He informed her that she had been suspended with immediate effect. Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi was appointed acting police commissioner.
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Manamela turned to the Gauteng North High Court and successfully challenged her suspension, albeit on procedural circumstances. Shortly thereafter, on March 27, Manamela pitched up at her office in Mbombela City’s Ferreira Street again. She did not wait for a letter from Masemola uplifting her suspension. Neither did she inform him that she was returning to work. She just called a press conference and got back to work.
On Friday October 6, all senior officers and branch commanders were informed that an urgent meeting would be held on Friday October 13. Lowvelder could not confirm the meeting’s purpose. However, a senior officer told Lowvelder that the meeting was arranged to keep management informed about the investigation against Manamela. A letter, of which Lowvelder has seen a copy, informs police management that Major General Buti Lekubu has been appointed the acting provincial police commissioner.
Neither Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national police spokesperson, nor Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the provincial police spokesperson, responded to questions about the suspension. The article will be updated once a response has been received.
