Suspended Police Chief Alleges SAPS Corruption Cover-Up

Suspended Mpumalanga police chief Daphney Manamela has publicly accused South Africa’s national police commissioner, Fannie Masemola and Minister of Police Bheki Cele of involvement in a corruption cover-up within the South African Police Service (SAPS), alleging that senior officials obstructed investigations into misconduct and accepted bribes to shield wrongdoing.

Manamela, who was removed from her position as provincial commissioner in Mpumalanga in late 2024 following an internal SAPS disciplinary process, made the allegations during a televised interview on Jacaranda FM on April 18, 2026. She claimed that Masemola and Cele interfered with ongoing investigations into police corruption in Mpumalanga, including cases involving illicit mining, fraud, and abuse of power by senior officers.

According to Manamela, she presented evidence to Masemola and Cele in early 2024 detailing alleged R5 million in bribes paid to SAPS officials to ignore illegal activities in the province. She stated that instead of acting on the information, both officials dismissed her concerns and later supported her suspension, which she characterizes as retaliation for attempting to expose misconduct.

“I gave them the names, the amounts, the transaction trails,” Manamela said in the interview. “They didn’t just ignore it — they actively worked to shut it down. Then they moved against me.” She did not provide the names of the alleged bribe recipients during the broadcast but said she had submitted documentation to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Public Protector’s office.

The allegations add to growing scrutiny of SAPS leadership amid multiple investigations into police conduct. In March 2026, IPID confirmed it was reviewing complaints against Masemola related to alleged interference in disciplinary cases, though no formal charges have been laid. Cele has faced similar accusations in the past, including claims that he pressured investigators to drop cases involving politically connected individuals, which he has repeatedly denied.

Manamela’s suspension stemmed from allegations of financial mismanagement and improper conduct during her tenure in Mpumalanga, which she denies. She has since launched a legal challenge against the decision, arguing it was procedurally flawed and motivated by her efforts to report corruption. The Labour Court is expected to hear her case later in 2026.

SAPS has not issued an official response to Manamela’s specific claims as of April 19, 2026. The ministry of police referred inquiries to SAPS headquarters, which declined to comment on pending personnel matters or ongoing investigations, citing standard protocol.

IPID confirmed it has received multiple complaints from Manamela dating back to 2023, including allegations of bribery, obstruction of justice, and abuse of office. A spokesperson said the directorate is assessing whether the new information warrants opening a formal investigation into Masemola and Cele, but emphasized that any probe would depend on verifiable evidence.

Political analysts note that the allegations come at a sensitive time for the African National Congress-led government, which has faced declining public trust in state institutions, including law enforcement. Civil society groups such as the Institute for Security Studies and Corruption Watch have called for an independent inquiry into the allegations, stressing the need to protect whistleblowers and uphold accountability in SAPS.

Manamela reiterated her willingness to testify before any parliamentary commission or judicial inquiry, stating that she has “nothing to hide” and that the truth about corruption in SAPS must be confronted regardless of rank or position.