- President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the reinstatement of Major General Fannie Masemola at an outdoor press briefing in the Northern Cape on 16 October 2026
- Masemola had been on precautionary suspension since April 2026 following charges linked to a tender awarded to Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala
- Ramaphosa praised Acting Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane for her performance during Masemola's six-month absence
Source: UGC
NORTHERN CAPE — President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on 16 October 2026 that Major General Fannie Masemola has been reinstated as National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, with the general set to resume full duties on Monday, 19 October 2026.
Ramaphosa made the announcement at an outdoor press briefing in Aggeneys in the Northern Cape, describing the reinstatement as a natural consequence of the charges against Masemola being formally withdrawn.
"The reinstatement of the National Commissioner of the South African Police was a straightforward type of process," Ramaphosa said.
"After charges were dropped against General Masemola, it was a given that he had to be reinstated to his job."
Masemola's six-month suspension
Masemola was placed on precautionary suspension in April 2026 after appearing at the Pretoria Magistrates' Court on charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act. The charges related to a tender awarded to Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. Both Ramaphosa and Masemola agreed to the arrangement at the time, pending the outcome of the legal process.
Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane stepped in as Acting National Commissioner during his absence. On 15 September 2026, the National Director of Public Prosecutions instructed that the charges be withdrawn, and the Pretoria Magistrates' Court formally struck them from the roll on 22 September 2026, clearing the path for Masemola's return.
Ramaphosa praised the general's conduct throughout the period.
"Once I put him on leave, he went on leave, kept quiet and made sure that he abided by the processes that we've put in place," the President said.
Dimpane credited for acting role
Ramaphosa also acknowledged Dimpane's contribution, saying:
"We also thank General Dimpane for the excellent work that she has done since we appointed her as acting commissioner. She proved that she's capable, she's able to do the work."
The President linked the reinstatement to broader reform efforts flowing from the Madlanga Commission, expressing confidence that South Africa would soon have "a very, very strong and transformed police service."
Watch President Ramaphosa's full press briefing on the reinstatement of General Masemola on X:
Khusela Sangoni slammed for criticising Fannie Masemola
In a related article, Briefly News reported on ANC MP Khusela Sangoni’s criticism of suspended Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and the backlash it prompted.
The dispute centres on Masemola’s handling of a directive linked to Crime Intelligence appointments and the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. Sangoni said the ANC had not recommended further action against him, but critics accused the party of shifting blame while protecting Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Source: Briefly News
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