By OBAKENG MAJE
23 April 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa has placed the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension. This comes after Masemola briefly appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court earlier this week over contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) related to the awarding of a R228 million contract to Medicare 24 – a business linked to alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Ramaphosa held a media briefing together with acting Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia at the Union Buildings on Thursday afternoon.
“In consideration of the seriousness of these charges and the critical role of the National Police Commissioner in leading the fight against crime, I have agreed with Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case.
“Recalling the commitment made during the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to step up the fight against organised crime, corruption and violence, the decision to suspend Masemola was one rooted in accountability,” he said.
Ramaphosa further said he laid bare the government’s efforts to restore credibility of the police service following years of state capture. He added that they have worked hard over the last few years to rebuild the law enforcement agencies and security services in the wake of state capture, to restore their credibility and integrity.
“We have taken measures to uncover malfeasance and investigate allegations of wrongdoing within the ranks of the police and other institutions.
“These measures have been necessary to ensure accountability and to devise remedial action to prevent the abuse of office and the theft of public resources. In all these efforts, we have promoted respect for the rule of law and upheld the principle that law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies must be able to act without fear, favour, or prejudice,” said Ramaphosa.
He said it is this principle that informs their response to the appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court earlier this week of Masemola on charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PMFA). Ramaphosa acknowledged that Maaemola’s court appearance is “understandably a cause of great concern for all South Africans”.
“However, we should not allow this development to weaken our determination or diminish our ability to fight against crime and corruption. We should not allow anything to destabilise the police service or undermine the morale of those entrusted to protect our people.
“We must hold firm to the values of our Constitution and, in this case as in all cases, allow the law to take its course,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has appointed Major General Puleng Dimpane as the acting National Police Commissioner.
The Guardian 