Ramaphosa reinstates Fannie Masemola as national police commissioner

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reinstated the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, lifting his precautionary suspension and allowing him to 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.

The charges were linked to a controversial police health-services tender. However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) formally withdrew the charges last month after a review found there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.

President Ramaphosa welcomes the National Police Commissioner on his return to his full duties and expresses his appreciation to Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, who served with distinction as Acting National Police Commissioner in the interim.

At the time of his suspension, Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, the SAPS Chief Financial Officer, was appointed as the acting National Police Commissioner.