President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension following his court appearance on charges related to alleged procurement irregularities.
Masemola appeared in court earlier this week, where he was charged with contravening the Public Finance Management Act. As the accounting officer of the South African Police Service (SAPS), he is accused of failing to exercise proper oversight over a R360 million health services tender awarded to alleged crime cartel figure Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
Announcing the decision at the Union Buildings on Thursday, Ramaphosa, alongside Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, said the suspension was necessary given the seriousness of the charges.
“In consideration of the seriousness of these charges and the critical role that the National Commissioner of Police plays in leading the fight against crime, I have agreed with General Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case,” Ramaphosa said.
SAPS Chief Financial Officer Puleng Dimpane has been appointed as acting national commissioner with immediate effect. She has been tasked with urgently addressing weaknesses in police procurement systems, which Ramaphosa identified as a key source of corruption and instability within the service.
The president said efforts to reform procurement processes within SAPS would form part of broader public sector reforms announced during the State of the Nation Address.
“The Minister of Police will support the work that the South African Police Service leadership must now undertake to insulate procurement processes from any form of manipulation,” he said.
Speaking after his court appearance, Masemola declined to comment on his discussions with the president regarding his future.
“I don’t want to discuss my discussions with the president in public, so leave it for him and me, and we’ll take it from there,” he said.
Despite the charges, Masemola emphasised that policing operations should continue without disruption, noting ongoing efforts to combat organised crime.
“The police service must continue doing its work. We have discovered a lot of organised crime in the country, and it’s the beginning. We should continue,” he said.
He also clarified that a task team linked to the investigation was not led by retired judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, dismissing speculation around the structure of the inquiry.
Masemola has maintained his innocence as legal proceedings continue.