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Calls mount for Masemola’s reinstatement as national police boss

todaySeptember 16, 2026 14

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Image: @NPASouthAfrica @RSAJudiciary

Calls are mounting for Fannie Masemola to be reinstated as South Africa’s National Police Commissioner after the withdrawal of PFMA charges against him.

The move follows National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head, Andy Mothibi’s, decision to withdraw Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) charges brought against Masemola by the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), saying a review found no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.

Masemola faced four charges under Section 38 of the PFMA linked to the controversial R228-million SAPS-Medicare24 tender, which was awarded to a company owned by alleged underworld kingpin, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Masemola on precautionary suspension in April after he appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court. Ramaphosa has said the suspension was intended to ensure the stability and effective functioning of the SAPS while the criminal process unfolded.

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) says Masemola should be reinstated, arguing that this would help restore confidence in the police ahead of the elections.

SAPU spokesperson, Lesiba Thobakgale, says the manner in which the matter was pursued appeared designed to humiliate, discredit and remove Masemola rather than advance the interests of justice.

“But the withdrawal of charges cannot be where this matter ends. There must now be accountability. The country deserves to know who was behind the actions that destabilized the leadership of the SAPS, what their motives were and whether there was any coordinated effort to compromise the stability of our law-enforcement institutions.”

Thobakgale says heads must roll, reiterating that the country deserves to know who was behind the actions that destabilised SAPS leadership and what their motives were.

“Those who may have abused state institutions, connived with others or acted outside the law must be independently investigated and where evidence establishes criminal conduct, they must be charged and prosecuted.”

He says the matter goes beyond Masemola as an individual.

“Removing or weakening senior law-enforcement leadership without proper justification could have serious consequences for the security and stability of the entire country.”

Activists and Citizens Forum spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, has also welcomed Mothibi’s decision, saying it was long overdue and alleging that the charges were fabricated.

“All the time we said that the charges against Commissioner Masemola were cooked up charges. We are now vindicated.

“Activists and Citizens Forum believe that former Head of IDAC, Andrea Johnson, and her destructive faction which was involved in this evil plot against Commissioner Masemola, must be criminally charged. They cannot just walk away after causing such unforgivable humiliation and embarrassment to Commissioner Masemola and his family.”

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    Calls mount for Masemola’s reinstatement as national police boss Lindiwe Mpanza

Mothibi has said the matter will be reported to the IDAC judge, with the Case Assessment Panel report to be considered in determining whether there was any misconduct in the prosecution process.

The decision has also sparked reaction on social media, with users weighing in on the withdrawal of the charges and renewed calls for Masemola’s reinstatement.

Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza

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