President Cyril Ramaphosa has reinstated the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola.
Ramaphosa announced on Friday that Masemola will resume his full duties on Monday, October 19.
Ramaphosa and Masemola had agreed that the National Commissioner be deemed to be on precautionary suspension in April 2026, following the commissioner’s appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court to face charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) linked to a R360 million SAPS health-services tender awarded to Medicare24.
At the time, Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane (SAPS Chief Financial Officer) was appointed as the acting National Police Commissioner during Masemola's suspension.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Andy Mothibi, ordered the charges to be withdrawn against Masemola last month after a review found no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.
On September 22, the Pretoria Magistrate's Court formally withdrew charges against Masemola.
Ramaphosa welcomed the National Police Commissioner back to his full duties and expressed his appreciation to Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, who he said had served with distinction as Acting National Police Commissioner in the interim.
IOL