The national police commissioner, general Fannie Masemola, will return to duty after president Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his precautionary suspension following the withdrawal of all charges against him.
Ramaphosa placed Masemola on suspension in April after the police chief was charged by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption. He faced four charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act linked to a R228 million contract awarded to Medicare 24, a company owned by alleged criminal mastermind Cat Matlala.
The charges related to alleged failures of oversight. Prosecutors claimed Masemola failed to prevent the tender from proceeding despite warnings about possible fraud and fronting, and failed to act promptly against implicated officials.
The case centred on a contract initially advertised at about R360 million that was awarded to Medicare 24 Tshwane District in June 2024. The South African Police Service (SAPS) later cancelled the contract after finding supply-chain abuses and irregularities, but only after paying out approximately R228 million.
Masemola received a preliminary internal audit report in January 2025 alerting him to the alleged irregularities. The final internal audit report was completed on 29 April 2025, and the contract was subsequently cancelled.
Charges withdrawn
National director of public prosecutions, advocate Andy Mothibi, ordered the charges against Masemola to be withdrawn in September after a review found insufficient evidence to secure a successful prosecution.
The National Prosecuting Authority said pursuing a case without sufficient evidence was not in the public interest. The NPA review also identified procedural lapses and irregularities in the prosecution process.
The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court formally withdrew all charges against Masemola on 22 September.
Ramaphosa lifted Masemola’s suspension today, allowing him to return to his duties as national police commissioner.
Leadership during suspension
Acting police minister, Firoz Cachalia, welcomed the decision, saying Masemola’s return would allow the SAPS leadership to focus on operational priorities.
Cachalia thanked lieutenant-general Puleng Dimpane for her leadership and service as acting national commissioner during Masemola’s suspension.
In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the police service through the Police Reset Agenda, with a focus on professionalism, accountability and fulfilling its constitutional mandate to protect and serve the public.
Matlala’s case continues
Meanwhile, the case against Matlala has taken several dramatic turns. On 25 June, Matlala pleaded guilty and became a section 204 state witness. However, after the court rejected the agreed sentence as too lenient, he withdrew from the plea agreement.
The plea agreement was declared void, his guilty plea fell away, and the NPA confirmed the affidavit connected to the deal could not be used in new prosecutions.
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