24.04.2026
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Political parties react to Fannie Masemola’s precautionary suspension

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  • File: Suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola briefing the media in Saulsville, 8 Dec 2025.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane as Acting National Police Commissioner.

Meanwhile, General Fannie Masemola has been placed on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of his case.
He appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court this week, charged with contravening the Public Finance Management Act in connection with the R360 million SAPS health services tender awarded to alleged cartel member, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. 

‘Stability’ 

The African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament has welcomed the precautionary suspension of Masemola.

ANC MP, Dikeledi Direko, who is a member of the portfolio committee on Police, says they welcome the decision taken by the President. 

She says they hope it will bring stability to the police service.

“On behalf of the ANC study group on police we welcome and support the intervention from the president with regard to the matter of the national commissioner. As the public rap I subscribed to the principle of innocent untill proven guilty.  However, in this matter, we had to take into consideration the credibility of the office, stability and functionality of the institution, especially now that we are at the era of Madlanga Commission where SAPS is at the centre of the discussions. So the President has acted in line with section 207 which empowers him to ensure that there is stability in the SAPS.”

‘Clean up SAPS’

The Democratic Alliance has called on President Ramaphosa to take immediate and decisive action to clean up the SAPS by removing officers implicated in criminality.

DA Federal leader, Geordin Hill Lewis says, “We are now in the extraordinary position where the Minister, the National Police Commissioner, at least one Deputy National Commissioner and possibly very soon a second Deputy National Commissioner are all on suspension and we have acting people in all of those positions. So, clearly there is a huge integrity and accountability issue at the top our police leadership. We have to clean out and get leadership in the SAPS that has an unimpeachable and unquestionable integrity. Leadership that is not themselves embroiled in crime or the proceeds of crime.”

‘Functionary SAPS’

The Freedom Front Plus says while it welcomes the precautionary suspension of Masemola, it is concerned about the appointment of Dimpane as acting national commissioner. 

FF Plus MP Wouter Wessels says there’s a lot of financial mismanagement that happened under Dimpane’s watch.

“The Freedom Front Plus welcomes the decisive action by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the precautionary suspension of the National Police Commissioner. We are however sceptical  about the appointment of Lieutenant-General Dimpane as the Acting Commissioner. As she has and was the Chief Financial Officer. Under her watch, a lot of financial mismanagement  and irregularities toook place. We need a complete re-haul of the senior management of the South African Police Service. People who act in the interests of safer South Africa and the functionary South African Police Service.”

Rise Mzansi has also welcomed the precautionary suspension of Masemola.  The party’s MP Makashule Gana says his suspension is long over due especially in the wake of his appearance in court. 

“Rise Mzansi notes the precautionary suspension of the National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola  and also the appointment of General Dimpane as the Acting National Police Commissioner. We would have hoped that General Fannie Masemola have asked to be placed on leave  and not wait to be suspended but we are here now. So we wish General Dimpane everything of the best as she tries to clean the image of the South African Police Service which is something that is needed to keep South Africans safe.” 

‘Failing to take serious action’

Meanwhile, ActionSA has criticised Ramaphosa for failing to take serious action against police officials implicated in criminality.

ActionSA MP, Dereleen James, “This almost feels like a movie now, because everyone seems to be acting. Everyone’s acting and we are getting absolutely no services. ActionSA is focused purely on the urgent need to stabilise the management of SAPS, which cannot continue in the current state where most senior officers are embroiled in criminality. We knew that today will be another announcement on someone acting instead of actually coming to us and telling us, I have taken a decision. I am now going to dismiss Minister Mchunu who continues to get paid with taxpayer’s money.”

Here are some more political reactions to General Masemola’s suspension:

EFF reacts to President Ramaphosa’s briefing: Sinawo Thambo:

MKP reacts to Fannie Masemola’s suspension: Nhlamulo Ndhlela:

BOSA reacts to Fannie Masemola’s suspension: Mmusi Maimane:

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