SAPU urges Ramaphosa to reinstate Masemola as questions mount over IDAC case

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately reinstate National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola following the withdrawal of criminal charges against him.

The South African Policing Union welcomes the withdrawal of the charges against the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola and we are making a call to the President to reinstate him as soon as possible back to his post as the National Commissioner of SAPS, and we are further calling for accountability for those in IDAC (the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption) who were responsible to have concocted these charges against the National Commissioner. We are also calling for accountability to those who connived in SAPS to have the National Commissioner removed.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) recently ordered the withdrawal of four charges against Masemola, which were related to the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), stating there was no prospect of a successful prosecution. This development follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and its handling of cases against senior police officials.

Allegations have surfaced at the Madlanga Commission suggesting that former IDAC head Andrea Johnson and other officials may have orchestrated a campaign against Masemola and other police leadership. Evidence presented to the commission included claims that investigators sought to manufacture evidence or set up officials for perjury charges.

With the charges now dropped, SAPU and other organizations are demanding that those responsible for the alleged conspiracy within IDAC and the SAPS be held accountable for their actions.