National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed that names were attached to the "Big Five" but has yet to reveal their identities. Image: EWN.
(The Post News)- National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday, 22 September, that the South African Police Service (SAPS) identified some of the country’s most notorious organized crime suspects as the “Big Five.”
“The report included the identity of senior SAPS officers who are associated with criminal syndicates and who are advancing or protecting the interests of the ‘Big Five’ within the criminal justice system.” He explained that the “Big Five,” named by the Political Killings Task Team, are individuals involved in criminal syndicates. The Big Five are people that are involved in criminal syndicates. They were named ‘Big Five’ by the team,” stated Masemola.
Masemola Claims Politicians Fake Assassination Attempts
The commissioner’s testimony also touched on political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, where a special task team has been probing the assassination of councillors. Masemola alleged that some local politicians faked assassination attempts to obtain municipally funded bodyguards.
Masemola said, “In some cases, councillors would go as far as saying somebody must shoot at their shoes and not too deep in the bone. But when investigations continue, some would confess that they just wanted a budget from their municipalities so that they could get protection.”
However, Masemola’s credibility came under scrutiny when commissioners pressed him on contradictions in his statements. Members of the inquiry panel appeared baffled by gaps in his testimony, raising concerns about the reliability of his evidence.
Masemola wrapped up his evidence for the day at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College and is expected to conclude his testimony on Tuesday morning.
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