Ramaphosa lifts the precautionary suspension of police chief General Fannie Masemola
16 October 2026
President Cyril Ramaphosa has uplifted the precautionary suspension of the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola.
The Presidency said the suspension had been agreed in April 2026 after Masemola appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates' Court on charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions instructed on 15 September 2026 that the charges be withdrawn, and the court formally withdrew them on 22 September 2026.
Masemola resumes his full duties on 19 October 2026.
Ramaphosa thanked Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, who served as Acting National Police Commissioner in the interim.
In plain words
SAPS South African Police Service — South Africa's national police force, headed by a National Commissioner appointed by the President.
PFMA Public Finance Management Act — The South African law that governs how public money is managed by state institutions.