By REGINALD KANYANE
23 April 2026 – Action SA said it has noted the decision by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. Action SA said sadly, today marks another indication of the growing instability obstructing law enforcement from fulfilling its most basic mandate to protect South Africa and her people.
Action SA Member of Parliament (MP), Dereleen James said today adds to a growing pattern of suspensions at the highest levels of law enforcement, including that of Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. James said while this suspension was widely expected, given the seriousness of the allegations faced by Masemola, South Africans cannot be expected to accept a cycle of acting appointments.
“The continued reliance on “acting” appointments in critical positions such as the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner undermines stability within SAPS. Action SA supports decisive action to protect the integrity of SAPS.
“However, these repeated reactive interventions point to a deeper failure of leadership and oversight. The President has allowed a situation to develop where allegations of criminality and misconduct at the highest levels of government and law enforcement have become commonplace,” she said.
James further said at the same time, other Members of the Executive such as Minister Sisisi Tolashe and Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, are facing serious allegations, further reinforcing the perception of a government losing control over its own integrity. She added that Action SA will closely monitor the appointment of Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane as acting National Police Commissioner.
“This appointment must be to clean up the South African Police Service (SAPS), not to frustrate or delay the work of this critical institution,” said James.
Meanwhile, RISE Mzansi Member of Parliament (MP), Makashule Gana said while the legal process unfolds, they maintain that this development underscores a deeper institutional crisis. Gana said they must be clear, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) is sacrosanct.
“Any violation of this Act is a serious matter that undermines the integrity of our state institutions and the safety of our citizens. The pattern of National Commissioners failing to complete their terms due to procurement and supply chain scandals must end.
“To ensure a stable and ethical future for the South African Police Service (SAPS), RISE Mzansi reiterates its call for a total reset of police leadership and management. We call for urgent specialised training for vetted officers,” he said.
Gasa said any senior officer who has successfully passed the new round of vetting and lifestyle audits must undergo intensive leadership training. He said this curriculum must prioritize Ethics and PFMA compliance to ensure senior managers are as competent in governance as they are in crime-fighting.
“The current model of sole presidential discretion has failed. We advocate for a merit-based process where the National Commissioner is interviewed by an independent panel and confirmed by the National Assembly, ensuring accountability to the Constitution rather than a single politician.
“Supply Chain Management (SCM) has become the Achilles’ heel of the police. We propose an administrative overhaul to insulate operational policing from procurement processes, preventing senior generals from becoming entangled in commercial disputes and tender irregularities,” he said.
The Guardian 