Masemola’s charges withdrawn, top cop eyes reinstatement

Suspended National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, has described his legal battle over the controversial SAPS tender charges as a “difficult and painful journey” after the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court withdrew all four charges against him.

The legal cloud hanging over Masemola has now lifted, with the court formally withdrawing all four Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)-related charges against him.

Masemola appeared briefly in court on Tuesday in connection with the controversial South African Police Service (SAPS) healthcare tender awarded to alleged underworld kingpin, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s, Medicare24 Tshwane District franchise.

The charges stemmed from allegations that Masemola failed to properly oversee the procurement process.

Speaking after the charges were withdrawn, Masemola also raised concerns about the way investigative and prosecutorial functions are structured, arguing that the two should not be conflated.

Meanwhile Masemola’s lawyer, Morongoe Seleka, has welcomed the withdrawal, which was ordered by National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate, Andy Mothibi, following a review of the case.

The NPA says Mothibi considered evidence gathered by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), alongside a Case Assessment Panel report and an assessment by independent senior counsel.

Following the review, Mothibi concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution against Masemola on the four PFMA charges.

The formal withdrawal of the charges now leaves Masemola’s future in office as the next big question. However the withdrawal does not by itself lift his suspension, which remains a separate matter involving his employer and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Masemola, however, has made it clear that he is eager to return to work.

His lawyer, Morongoe Seleke, says only time will tell what comes next.

“As the general has said, matters between his employer and him are still outside our purview. We don’t have any mandate. But we remain supportive of General Masemola and should that moment arise, we will certainly be there to document it. For now, the matter falls squarely within the President’s and Minister of Police’s mandate,” said Seleke.

While Masemola’s court battle may be over, questions around the handling of the investigation are far from settled.

The NPA says Mothibi will report the matter to the IDAC judge, and make the Case Assessment Panel report available for further scrutiny of how the case was assessed, enrolled and prosecuted, including whether any misconduct occurred.

The prosecuting authority is also pressing ahead with what it calls an “IDAC Reset Programme”, which includes reviews of cases and steps to strengthen the directorate.

The NPA says lifestyle audits will form part of the process for officials deployed to IDAC, amid allegations involving several senior officials.

Senior Investigators, Brian Padayachee and Suneel Bellochun, as well as Chief Investigator, Dylan Perumal, have been suspended amid allegations of corruption.

Former IDAC head, Advocate Andrea Johnson, has also stepped away from the organisation amid allegations, which she has disputed.

Speaking on the sidelines of Masemola’s court appearance, NPA spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said Johnson cannot be subjected to a lifestyle audit because she has already left the organisation.

“Advocate Johnson was already part of the audits that were done on the Exco. Therefore, we had already started because she was part of that group. Unfortunately, now there is now an employer and employee relationship that is no longer available, therefore we cannot enforce that on her,” Kganyago added.

Outside court, the Activists and Citizens Forum has thrown its weight behind Masemola.

The civil society group is now calling on President Ramaphosa to hold those it says subjected Masemola and his family to “pain and trauma” accountable.

The organisation’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, welcomed the withdrawal and maintained that Masemola is not corrupt.

He also called for Masemola’s immediate reinstatement.

Bloem has further criticised former IDAC head, Andrea Johnson, and what he describes as her “faction”, calling for accountability over the handling of Masemola’s case.

He says the ACF will continue backing the suspended commissioner and will not rest until those it believes are responsible are held to account.

The criminal case may now be off the table, but whether Masemola returns to the top job at SAPS remains a separate question.

He survived a calculated campaign of scheming of Andrea Johnson, Julius Malema’s self-styled “Winnie Mandela”. His career and reputation nearly ruined, dragged to the brink of destruction. Yet General Fannie Masemola remains standing. All trumped-up charges against him dropped! pic.twitter.com/YQml7A1JeX

— Gooseberry (@RhuNdimande) September 22, 2026

When they told Gen. Fannie Masemola he was free to go, those were not ordinary tears. I cried a different kind of tears. 😭 https://t.co/nSlqnQZmTc

— Matjie Makhura🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@justMakhura) September 22, 2026

Written by: Odirile Rabalao