National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola will return to full duties on Monday, 19 October 2026, after President Cyril Ramaphosa uplifted the precautionary suspension imposed in April.
The Presidency confirmed the decision on Friday. Masemola and the president had agreed to the suspension after the commissioner appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act. Those charges related to alleged failures of oversight in the award of a SAPS health-services contract to Medicare24, a company linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions instructed that the charges be withdrawn on 15 September 2026. The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court formally withdrew them on 22 September. The NPA concluded there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution after reviewing the evidence.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said: “The president welcomes the National Police Commissioner on his return to his full duties.” Ramaphosa also thanked Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, who served as acting national commissioner, for her service during the interim period.
The contract at the centre of the allegations was part of a broader procurement valued at about R360 million; the specific deal referenced in the charges has been described as a R228 million arrangement. Investigators previously flagged irregularities and the contract was later cancelled.
Masemola’s reinstatement occurs while the Madlanga Commission continues to examine allegations of corruption and criminal influence within the police and criminal-justice system.
