Anita Nkonki|Published
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has returned to duty following the withdrawal of charges against him, pledging to strengthen frontline policing, improve accountability and rebuild public confidence in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Masemola resumed his duties yesterday after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his precautionary suspension. He said his focus would be on improving police capacity, ensuring officers had the resources to respond effectively to crime and uniting the service as pressure mounts to restore public confidence.
“The SAPS is bigger than any one person, and our constitutional mandate must always take precedence over personal interests, internal differences and individual circumstances,” he said in a media briefing.
Masemola sets out policing priorities
Masemola was suspended in April after appearing in court on charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act over a police health-services contract. The National Director of Public Prosecutions ordered the charges withdrawn on September 15, and the court formalised this on September 22.
Ramaphosa welcomed his return and thanked Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, acting national commissioner, for her service.
Masemola said he would not let his suspension distract him.
“I acknowledge the past, but I will not allow it to distract us from the future,” he said.
“My focus is on leadership, institutional renewal, and improving the capacity of the SAPS to deliver measurable results in the fight against crime.”
His priorities include better-resourced police stations, more vehicles and equipment, improved response times, visible policing and filling staffing gaps. Recruitment of new trainees would begin soon, he said, and commanders would be held accountable for ensuring resources improved service delivery.
Masemola also promised to consider recommendations from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, saying its final report should help strengthen accountability, address systemic weaknesses and advance necessary reforms within SAPS.
Police to focus on election-related violence
With local government elections approaching, Masemola said he would seek a Crime Intelligence briefing on attacks and killings involving party members and candidates.
“No political affiliation places anyone above the law,” he said.
Festive-season policing priorities include murder, robbery, sexual offences, illegal firearms, organised crime and gender-based violence.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia welcomed the decision, saying Masemola’s return offered an opportunity to refocus on operational priorities and build “a professional, capable and trusted police service”.
Political parties welcome return but stress accountability
Reactions to Masemola’s return were warm, while stressing the importance of accountability.
The Afrika Mayibuye Movement said he must restore stability and strengthen the fight against organised crime, corruption and violence.
The party urged police to proceed fearlessly in dismantling all criminal cartels and said those responsible for proven misconduct must face consequences, regardless of rank or political connections.
The Forum for South Africa (FORUM4SA), led by Tebogo Mashilompane, also welcomed the lifting of the suspension.
“Fairness, accountability, and respect for the rule of law must guide every process involving public officials,” Mashilompane said.
He cautioned that the decision should not be interpreted as an end to any ongoing legal proceedings.
Police union calls for leadership stability
South African Policing Union spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale said Masemola’s return came at a critical time, with deputy national commissioner posts needing to be filled and police morale requiring attention.
“When there is no stability at the leadership level, members end up not knowing what should be expected from their side,” Thobakgale said, adding that stable police leadership could boost morale.
He said police would play a critical role during the local government elections and festive-season operations. Thobakgale also said the union wanted to see Masemola take action against people who had worked against him within the service.
Masemola said unity did not mean an absence of disagreement, but required differences to be resolved through institutional processes.
He said his focus was on rooting out corruption and unprofessional conduct, strengthening frontline policing and ensuring officers had the resources to respond effectively to crime.
“The task before us is to unite our organisation, strengthen frontline capacity, confront crime decisively and rebuild public confidence through consistent action,” he said.