President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension and appointed Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane as acting National Police Commissioner.
The decision was announced by the president during a briefing at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday afternoon, attended by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia.
The suspension follows Masemola’s court appearance earlier this week on four charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act linked to alleged irregular procurement processes.
Ramaphosa said it was vital that the public has trust in the people that the government has appointed.
“I have agreed with General Fannie Masemola that he should be placed on precautionary suspension,” said Ramaphosa.
The president said it is vital for law enforcement and security agencies of the country to be capable and effective and to have the public restore their trust in them and to restore the rule of law.
Masemola appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday alongside at least 16 other co-accused, including alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, in connection with the irregular awarding of a contract valued at approximately R228 million to Medicare24, a company owned by Matlala.
The charges fall under Section 38 of the PFMA, which relates to the responsibilities of accounting officers in ensuring compliance with procurement regulations. The charges stem from a broader R360 million health services tender scandal that has rocked the South African Police Service since 2024.
The matter has been postponed to 13 May for further investigations and for Masemola to be joined with 16 others who are charged on the same matter.
Charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering have also been brought against the other accused in the case. Matlala faces additional charges, including attempted murder, with the State opposing bail for him.
Lieutenant General Dimpane, who currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the South African Police Service, brings extensive experience in financial management and internal auditing to her new role.
Dimpane joined the police service in 2007 as a senior superintendent and provincial commander for internal audit. She served as provincial head of financial and administration services for six years before being appointed as major general and deputy provincial commissioner for asset management in the Free State.
In December 2018, she was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. In this capacity, she oversees the management of the police service’s approximately R80 billion budget.
Dimpane holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and an honours degree in business administration. She has testified before parliamentary committees on police budget structures and procurement processes.
In March 2026, Acting Police Minister Cachalia engaged Dimpane to lead efforts aimed at strengthening procurement systems within the police service, establishing an intervention team to review procurement processes and improve oversight.
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The appointment of an acting commissioner comes amid mounting political pressure on Ramaphosa to act decisively. Multiple political parties and civil society organisations had called for Masemola’s immediate suspension.
The Democratic Alliance had called on Ramaphosa to place Masemola on precautionary suspension and appoint a board of inquiry into his fitness to hold office.
The ANC’s parliamentary study group on police had also urged Ramaphosa to move swiftly and restore stability in the police service.
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Masemola’s suspension marks the latest chapter in a troubling pattern of instability at the top of the police service. Previous national commissioners including Jackie Selebi, Bheki Cele, Riah Phiyega, Khomotso Phahlane and Khehla Sitole have all faced suspensions, dismissals or criminal investigations linked to allegations of organised crime, fraud or political interference.
The Presidency said Ramaphosa remains committed to ensuring the police service stays stable and continues fulfilling its policing mandate.
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