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The Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) interrogated General Fannie Masemola during a Parliament Ad Hoc Committee hearing on 10 October 2025. Julius Malema and Leigh‑Ann Mathys pressed the National Police Commissioner over the politicisation of task teams and halted recruitment in Crime Intelligence.
They challenged the limits placed on MPs’ questions and called for transparency in intelligence operations and resource allocations.
What Happened
At Parliament, Malema challenged a procedural ruling that tried to restrict questioning. He insisted MPs should probe policing issues beyond Masemola’s written statement, especially in light of precedent set earlier.
Mathys then asked pointed questions about the politicisation of police task teams, such as:
- Who decides which material conditions justify forming a task team?
- Are some task teams driven by political pressure, not crime severity?
- Were units formed at president-led events used to address internal party issues?
She also questioned disruptions in Crime Intelligence hiring, raising concerns about interference in sensitive security functions and the silencing of Parliament.
Official Response
The text provided does not include a direct response from Masemola or other officials beyond the EFF’s statement. The EFF claims the DA‑aligned Minister is enabling fragmentation by allowing departments to bypass central systems. They assert that such moves undermine accountability and open the door to corruption.
“This move is reckless, anti‑state, and disastrous for accountability,” the EFF said regarding decentralised procurement plans.
They assert that weakening SITA oversight and defunding internal capacity will lead to inflated costs, duplicate systems, and broken cybersecurity problems that ripple across government.
Community Impact
The EFF argues that the policing changes directly affect public trust, safety, and equity. If Crime Intelligence and policing bodies operate without oversight or political neutrality, accountability may collapse. Communities already vulnerable to violence, abuse, or corruption could suffer further when systems bend to political agendas.
The EFF frames their demands as urgent: restore oversight, resume halted recruitments, and scrap regulations that decentralise power across departments.
