Daphney Manamela’s explosive claims spark calls for an independent probe into SAPS corruption in Mpumalanga

Suspended Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Daphney Manamela has recently made headlines with explosive allegations of deep-rooted corruption and maladministration within the South African Police Service (SAPS), particularly pointing fingers at National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. Her claims, delivered during a media briefing in Mbombela on Sunday, April 19, 2026, suggest her own suspension was a calculated move to prevent her from tackling corruption and to interfere with sensitive investigations in the province.

Key details about the allegations involving Daphney Manamela

• Who is Involved: Lieutenant-General Daphney Semakaleng Manamela (Suspended Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner, SAPS), General Fannie Masemola (National Police Commissioner, SAPS), Brigadier Athlenda Mathe (National Spokesperson, SAPS), former Minister of Police Bheki Cele (alleged involvement), Major General Bto Muawei (alleged confirmation of bribe).
• Dates: Daphney Manamela was appointed Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner on July 2, 2021. She was first suspended in February 2023 over allegations of misconduct, including influencing police stations for gifts. Her recent explosive media briefing was held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Mbombela. She alleges attempts to reach the National Commissioner on February 21, 2025, and the Minister of Police’s office on February 24, 2025. She also mentioned a discussion with former Minister Bheki Cele on November 8, 2024.
• Location: Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.
• Allegations: Manamela claims National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola failed to act on warnings about corruption and instead protected corrupt officers. She alleges that her suspension was an attempt to interfere with investigations into corruption, extortion, political killings, illegal mining, and kidnappings within Mpumalanga. She further claims a provincial task team investigating serious cases was disbanded after her suspension and that dockets were moved to the national office without her knowledge. There are also claims of a bribe paid to General Masemola by a football administrator and businessman, Bobby Mutaw.
• SAPS Response: National Police Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe stated that SAPS and their legal department would consult with Manamela over her allegations and refer the matter to appropriate investigative units. Mathe emphasised that the allegations are serious and cannot be ignored.
• Public and Legal Reaction: Civil society groups have called for an urgent and independent investigation into the claims. Lawyers for the family of Hillary Gardee, whose murder case Manamela referred to, have requested the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to summon her to testify under oath.

A full summary of the allegations by Daphney Manamela

Lieutenant-General Daphney Manamela, the suspended Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, has unleashed a torrent of serious accusations against senior police officials, including the National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. During a highly anticipated media briefing held in Mbombela on April 19, 2026, Manamela asserted that her multiple suspensions were not due to misconduct but rather a deliberate effort to silence her and impede her work against rampant corruption within the provincial police force.

Manamela, who was appointed to her position in July 2021 and first suspended in February 2023 over allegations of misconduct, claims that General Masemola actively protected corrupt officers and failed to intervene when she flagged serious issues of corruption and maladministration. She alleges that a provincial task team, responsible for investigating significant cases such as political killings, illegal mining, kidnappings, and extortion, was disbanded following her suspension. Furthermore, she detailed instances where dockets were allegedly transferred to the national office without her knowledge or authorisation. Among her most damning claims is the accusation that General Masemola received a bribe from a football administrator and businessman, Bobby Mutaw, a claim she states was corroborated by Major General Bto Muawei.

The severity of these allegations has prompted a strong response. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the National Spokesperson for SAPS, confirmed that the police and their legal department would engage with Manamela to formally assess her claims. Mathe underlined the gravity of the accusations, stating they would not be taken lightly and would be referred to appropriate investigative units. This development comes at a time when public trust in law enforcement in South Africa is already fragile, with ongoing concerns about corruption within the criminal justice system. Civil society organisations have swiftly called for an independent inquiry to thoroughly investigate Manamela’s statements, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability.

Adding another layer of complexity, lawyers representing the family of Hillary Gardee, whose tragic murder case has garnered national attention, have formally requested that the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry summon Daphney Manamela to testify under oath. Manamela had alluded to interference in this high-profile case during her briefing, linking her allegations to broader issues of police misconduct. This situation places immense pressure on the SAPS to address these claims comprehensively and transparently, as the outcome will undoubtedly influence public perception of law enforcement’s integrity. For more trending news and updates on similar stories, you can visit Student Portal Trending.

Questions and answers about the Daphney Manamela allegations

• Q: Who is Daphney Manamela and what is her current position?
  A: Daphney Manamela is a Lieutenant-General and was the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga. She is currently suspended from this role.
• Q: What are the main allegations made by Daphney Manamela?
  A: She alleges widespread corruption and maladministration within SAPS, claiming National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola protected corrupt officers and failed to act on her warnings. She also states her suspensions were designed to silence her and interfere with investigations into serious crimes like political killings, illegal mining, and kidnappings.
• Q: When and where did Daphney Manamela make these allegations?
  A: She made these “explosive allegations” during a media briefing held in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
• Q: How has the SAPS responded to these allegations?
  A: National Police Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe stated that the SAPS and their legal department will consult with Manamela and refer her allegations to the appropriate investigative units for further action. She emphasised that the claims are serious and will not be ignored.
• Q: Are these Manamela’s first allegations or suspension?
  A: No, Daphney Manamela was initially suspended in February 2023 over allegations of misconduct, including accusations of influencing police stations to provide her with gifts. Her recent allegations are a new development during her period of suspension.
• Q: What is the significance of the Hillary Gardee murder case in relation to these allegations?
  A: Manamela alluded to interference in the Hillary Gardee murder case during her briefing. Following this, lawyers for the Gardee family have requested that the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry summon Manamela to testify under oath regarding her claims.