DA lays criminal charges against Minister Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola for illegal spy equipment

24 July 2023

Today, DA Shadow Minister of Police, Andrew Whitfield MP, laid criminal charges (photo here and here) against Police Minister Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.

The charges are in connection with the illegal possession of spy equipment, known as "grabbers," by the South African Police Service (SAPS). In a recent revelation, Minister Cele admitted that the SAPS unlawfully purchased grabbers without obtaining the required certificate of exemption under the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA) from the Minister of Justice. The possession of such equipment without a valid exemption certificate constitutes a criminal offence, as confirmed by the Minister of Justice himself.

This breach compromises privacy rights and SA's rule of law. We demand accountability for the violation of citizens’ privacy rights!

Issued by Andrew Whitfield, DA Shadow Minister of Police, 24 July 2023