General Fannie Masemola will return to full duties as national police commissioner on Monday, 19 October 2026. Image credit SAPS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reinstated General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola as the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service. With Masemola reinstated, he will return to his full duties on Monday, 19 October, after six months on suspension.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya announced the decision on Friday. He said the President welcomes the national police commissioner back to his full duties. Ramaphosa also thanked Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, the SAPS chief financial officer, who served as acting national commissioner during Masemola’s absence. According to the Presidency, Dimpane served with distinction.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia also welcomed the decision. He said Masemola’s return gives SAPS leadership a chance to stay focused on operational priorities. He added that the ministry remains committed to building a professional, capable and trusted police service. Cachalia also thanked Dimpane for her leadership.
Why Masemola was reinstated
Masemola’s troubles began in April. On 16 April, the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption charged him under the Public Finance Management Act. He became the 17th accused in the criminal case against businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala.
The charges related to a police health services tender worth about R360 million. SAPS awarded the contract to Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company linked to Matlala. Prosecutors accused Masemola of failing to properly oversee the contract. SAPS paid out about R50 million before Masemola cancelled the deal in May 2025, after an internal report found irregularities.
After his court appearance, Masemola and Ramaphosa agreed that he would go on precautionary suspension. At the time, the DA, ActionSA and Rise Mzansi welcomed the move. However, the DA also called for a board of inquiry into his fitness to hold office.
Then the case fell apart. National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi ordered a review of the charges. The review considered IDAC’s evidence, a report by a case assessment panel and an opinion from an independent senior counsel. In September, Mothibi concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution. He also said that pushing ahead without considering evidence in Masemola’s favour would go against the NPA’s mandate.
As a result, Mothibi ordered the charges withdrawn on 15 September. The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court formally withdrew them a week later, on 22 September.
The matter did not end there. The NPA has referred the case to the IDAC judge to establish whether anyone brought the charges deliberately or acted improperly. In addition, commissioners at the Madlanga Commission criticised former IDAC head Andrea Johnson. They questioned whether the charges were regular, and suggested the charges aimed to humiliate Masemola by linking him to Matlala.
After the withdrawal, pressure grew on Ramaphosa to bring Masemola back. The SACP, the MK Party and the South African Policing Union all called for his reinstatement. ATM leader Vuyo Zungula also questioned why he remained suspended once the charges fell away.
Masemola himself has spoken openly about the ordeal. He described it as a very painful road and said he would not wish it on anyone. He also said he had no plans to sue the state. Instead, he said investigators and prosecutors must each do their own jobs properly.
Masemola has led SAPS since March 2022, when he took over from General Khehla Sitole. His return comes at a turbulent time for the police. The Madlanga Commission continues to investigate alleged criminal networks inside law enforcement. Ramaphosa set up the commission in 2025, after KwaZulu Natal police boss Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused senior figures of interfering in police investigations. That crisis also led Ramaphosa to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave and appoint Cachalia as acting minister.
Furthermore, Masemola returns as political killings rise ahead of the 4 November local government elections. In the past week alone, gunmen have killed four ANC Youth League members in Katlehong and two ANC members in Umgababa.
Meanwhile, commentary across social media platforms has largely welcomed the news. Many users celebrated the return of the General and said it was long overdue. Others criticised the back and forth, and questioned why his return took almost a month after the charges fell away.