Johannesburg – Suspended Mpumalanga police chief Daphney Semakaleng Manamela‘s press conference broadcast live on television, in which she made several damning allegations of wrongdoing against high-ranking officers, has been deemed irregular.
At the weekend, the suspended provincial commissioner made explosive allegations of widespread corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Manamela claimed she was suspended in 2024 to protect corrupt officers and to interfere with sensitive investigations into extortion, illegal mining, kidnappings, and politically linked cases, including high-profile killings and tender disputes.
In response on Monday, 20 April 2026, Acting Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia issued a terse statement in which he said he “notes with concern the suspended Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner’s media briefing”.
He said the briefing on Sunday, 19 April 2026, was inconsistent with established professional protocols, including National Instruction 5 of 2017 on media communication within the SAPS.
The acting minister stated that he expects all SAPS members, particularly those in senior positions, to adhere strictly to these established standards in their public communications, as non-adherence constitutes misconduct.
“Any information relating to alleged misconduct or corruption must be referred to the appropriate authorities, including the Madlanga Commission, which is mandated to investigate and address such allegations,” the statement said.
