Mpumalanga SAPS provincial commissioner returns to work

Mpumalanga’s top cop, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, is back at the helm as the provincial police commissioner. Manamela returned to the driver’s seat on Monday March 27, shortly after the High Court Gauteng Division decided to set aside her suspension, declaring it unlawful.

Addressing the media on Monday at the SAPS headquarters, Manamela shot down speculations that her suspension might have been politically motivated, and a ploy to tarnish her name. “I am not a politician and I can’t be drawn to comment or speculate on political issues,” she said.

Manamela was suspended on February 24. She opted to challenge this move in the high court. And on March 23, this very court ruled in favour of her application.

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It ruled that the reasons for suspending Manamela were vague and that the procedure followed to do so was unfair. Delivering judgment on the matter, the high court ruled: “First respondent’s actions fell short of the statutory requirements for two reasons. First respondent’s notice to applicant was so devoid of any detail, that it was impossible for applicant to provide any substantive response.

“The notice failed to give any particularity to state that the applicant had received gifts and that she will be furnished with more particulars in future.

“The decision to suspend the applicant hinged not on the alleged receipt of gifts, but on her alleged unfitness for office. That phrase is as wide as the ocean and can mean anything. Whereas the receiving of gifts may entail a transgression of public service regulations or official police instructions. Such a transgression need not necessarily result in the applicant being unfit to hold office. It is clear that the applicant was suspended for reasons other than those [vaguely] referred to in notice of February 1, 2023.

“I find, therefore, that applicant was not given a proper opportunity, prior to her suspension, to make representations to the first respondent. Her suspension must, consequently, be set aside.”

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Reacting to this decision, the Mpumalanga EFF’s chairperson, Collen Sedibe, said they had always maintained that Manamela was innocent of all the allegations levelled against her.

“The EFF viewed these allegations as nothing but a witch-hunt and a political ploy to shame and unlawfully remove her from this position. The EFF has also found it odd and eyebrow-raising that even after her suspension, she was never formally charged, contrary to the national police commissioner’s suspension letter. What the EFF has also found contradicting, is the fact that Manamela was suspended for failing to perform her duties, but on the notice to suspend, she is accused of taking gifts. But otherwise, we welcome her back and wish her well,” said Sedibe.

He claimed they have it on good authority there is another attempt to serve Manamela with yet another letter of suspension, and this time for allegedly suspending senior police officials aligned to police minister, Bheki Cele.