Tag Archives: Prof Firoz Cachalia

SAPS send a team of investigators to France amid Mthethwa’s death

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Picture: South African Ambassador to France, the late Nathi Mthethwa

By OBAKENG MAJE

3 October 2025- Following the tragic and untimely death of South African Ambassador to France and former Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, the Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia, has been advised by the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola that, following consultation with the relevant authorities, a decision has been taken to deploy a team of five seasoned officers from the SAPS to France.

Cachalia said the team will be led by Major General Maqhashalala, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection in the Western Cape. He further said the deployed team will work closely with French law enforcement authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Mthethwa’s death are thoroughly and transparently investigated.

“This collaborative effort aims to support the ongoing inquest and uphold the principles of justice and accountability. The deployment of these investigators reflects our commitment to ensuring that every effort is made to establish the full facts surrounding this tragedy.

“We will offer all necessary support to our counterparts in France and remain in close contact with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) throughout the process,” said Cachalia.

He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences, expressing that they are devastated by the sudden and untimely passing of Mthethwa, a dedicated public servant and patriot who served our nation with distinction in various capacities.

Cachalia added that their thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

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Cope condemns Minister of Police’s interference into police operations

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Picture: acting Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia

By OBAKENG MAJE

30 August 2025- The Congress of the People (COPE) said it strongly condemns the recent actions of acting Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia, who has accused the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola of “jumping the gun” regarding the work of the Political Killings Task Team and the release of 121 investigative dockets.

Cope said Cachalia has further indicated that these matters should not proceed outside of the upcoming Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and has now demanded a report from Masemola on the task team’s work.

Cope acting General Secretary, Erick Mohlapamaswi said they view these actions as a serious overreach of ministerial authority and a troubling interference in the operational independence of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“The acting Minister of Police is now interfering with the work of the National Police Commissioner. The duties of the Commissioner are, in the main, the operational and managerial control of the police service, in accordance with national policy.

“The Minister’s role is to determine policing policy and provide oversight, not to direct investigations or intervene in operational matters. The National Commissioner is fully within his rights to determine where and how dockets are administered and investigated,” he said.

Mohlapamaswi further said Cachalia must stay within his lane.     He added that as Cope, question why Cachalia is so concerned about the release of these 121 dockets.

“What is in these dockets that make ministers so visibly unsettled? Why is the Acting Minister attempting to delay or derail investigations that fall squarely within the Commissioner’s operational mandate?

“The establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry does not suspend the work of the Political Killings Task Team, nor has the task team been disbanded by the Commissioner,” said Mohlapamaswi.

He said therefore, its investigations must continue without political interference, and arrests must proceed where warranted, even as the Commission conducts its own parallel inquiry. Mohlapamaswi said this situation raises a disturbing question.

“Was Cachalia appointed to stall or obstruct the investigations into the 121 political killings dockets?

“We call on Cachalia to refrain from overstepping his authority and to allow the SAPS to carry out its constitutional and legal duties without political pressure or manipulation,” he said.

Mohlapamaswi said the victims of political violence, and the South African public, deserve justice, not delay.

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