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…

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola will resume his duties on Monday after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his precautionary suspension following the formal withdrawal of charges against him, a development welcomed by the South African Policing Union (SAPU). Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia welcomed the decision on Friday, saying Masemola’s return presented an opportunity for the South African Police Service (SAPS) leadership to refocus on operational priorities and efforts to build a professional and trusted police service. Ramaphosa announced…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted the precautionary suspension of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, clearing the way for him to resume his duties on Monday, 19 October. The Presidency announced the decision on Friday, following the withdrawal of criminal charges against Masemola in September. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa and Masemola had agreed to the commissioner’s precautionary suspension in April 2026, after Masemola appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to face charges relating to alleged contraventions of the…

The ongoing parliamentary spectacle surrounding suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola brings into sharp, unforgiving focus the fundamental design flaw at the heart of South Africa’s criminal justice administration. The ANC has proposed that Parliament’s ad hoc committee make an adverse finding against Masemola. Their grievance? That he failed to “resist” an allegedly unlawful directive issued by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu regarding Crime Intelligence positions and the PKTT. In doing so, Parliament is attempting to enforce a textbook…

Criminal charges against suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola have been formally withdrawn in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court in connection with the controversial Medicare24 tender case. Masemola arrived at court on Tuesday morning as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) moved to formally withdraw the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) charges against him. The withdrawal follows a review ordered by National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi, who concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution…

The corruption case linked to the controversial Medicare24 Tshwane District contract has been postponed to 29 September 2026, when the matter is expected to be transferred to the Pretoria Regional Court and joined with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday that disclosure of the contents of the docket had been completed for all 14 accused. The accused face corruption charges relating to the alleged irregular awarding of a contract worth approximately R228 million to Medicare24…

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently reinstate suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, saying revelations before the Madlanga Commission have raised serious questions about the legal basis and handling of the case against him. SAPU says Masemola should be restored to his position while the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) reviews the criminal charges brought against him by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC). Masemola was arrested in April 2026 and appeared…

The future leadership of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) will come under the spotlight on Thursday evening when Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi brief the media following the resignation of former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson. The briefing, is expected to outline measures aimed at ensuring continuity within the anti corruption unit while the process of appointing a new head gets underway. According to the Ministry of Justice,…

South Africa’s policing leadership is under intense public and political scrutiny following the court appearance of suspended national commissioner Fannie Masemola and the appointment of Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane as acting head of the South African Police Service. Masemola appeared in court this week, facing charges linked to alleged contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act. The charges relate to alleged financial misconduct and procurement irregularities within the police service, including failures to comply with prescribed financial management procedures. On…

South Africa’s top cop, Fannie Masemola, has been placed on precautionary suspension, with Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane appointed as acting National Police Commissioner in a dramatic shake-up of the country’s law enforcement leadership. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the decision on Thursday, saying he had waited for Masemola to formally appear in court before acting, despite months of mounting pressure from political parties and civil society to suspend him. Ramaphosa confirmed that Dimpane would assume the role in an acting capacity…