National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has vowed to crack down on political violence ahead of the November 4 local government elections, strengthen frontline policing and address critical staffing shortages as he returns to office following the lifting of his precautionary suspension.

Masemola, who resumed his duties on Monday, said he would receive a comprehensive briefing from Crime Intelligence on attacks and killings involving political party members and candidates, amid concerns about political violence ahead of the elections.

Addressing the media during his return-to-office briefing, Masemola said the police would act decisively against political intimidation, violence and unlawful conduct, stressing that the South African Police Service (SAPS) would remain impartial.

“No political affiliation places anyone above the law, and every person must be able to participate in democratic processes without fear,” he said.

His return follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to lift his precautionary suspension after the National Prosecuting Authority withdrew the charges against him.

Masemola thanked Ramaphosa for the decision, saying his experience had reinforced the importance of due process, fairness and respect for the rule of law.

He said his focus was on rebuilding the police service and improving its capacity to deliver measurable results in the fight against crime.

“My focus is on leadership, institutional renewal, and improving the capacity of the SAPS to deliver measurable results in the fight against crime,” he said.

Masemola also called for unity within the police service, saying divisions and competing personal interests could undermine the institution’s ability to fulfil its constitutional mandate.

He acknowledged Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, who served as acting national commissioner during his absence, and said he would receive a formal handover report outlining operational priorities, progress made and outstanding matters.

The report would help ensure continuity in leadership and operations, he said.

Masemola also indicated that the police would consider the anticipated final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and its recommendations on accountability, institutional weaknesses and reforms within the SAPS.

He said the organisation needed to be prepared to implement relevant recommendations to improve transparency, restore public confidence and strengthen accountability.

“We must build it on professional solidarity, ethical leadership, mutual respect and a shared commitment to our constitutional mandate,” he said.

On frontline policing, Masemola said the public’s experience at police stations and in their communities would remain a key measure of the service’s performance.

He pledged to prioritise police vehicles, equipment, technology and personnel, while improving visible policing and response times.

Recruitment of new police trainees would soon begin, alongside efforts to fill vacant posts in line with approved staffing priorities and available resources.

Masemola said provincial commissioners and station commanders would be expected to account for how resources were deployed and whether they translated into improved service delivery.

Deployment decisions, he said, should be informed by crime patterns, population demands, operational risks and the needs of communities.

The commissioner also called for intensified operations ahead of the festive season, with police focusing on gender-based violence and femicide, murder, robbery, sexual offences, illegal firearms, drug trafficking and organised crime.

He said intelligence-led operations and road safety enforcement would be strengthened, with increased police visibility at shopping centres, transport facilities, entertainment areas, tourist destinations and identified crime hotspots.

Masemola said restoring morale within the police service should go hand in hand with discipline and accountability.

He warned that corruption, abuse of authority and unprofessional conduct would not be tolerated, while officers who served with integrity should be supported and recognised.

“The dedication of the majority must never be undermined by the misconduct of a few,” he said.

He urged political parties and their supporters to exercise tolerance, respect opposing views and resolve differences peacefully, warning that everyone had a responsibility to protect the country’s democratic processes.

Masemola said rebuilding public confidence would require cooperation between the police, communities, businesses, civil society, government and security partners.

He said the priority was to unite the organisation, strengthen its frontline capacity and confront crime decisively.

The return to office marks the resumption of Masemola’s leadership of the police service as it prepares for the elections and the busy festive season, with operational readiness, political violence and public confidence among the immediate challenges facing the organisation.