By Anita Dangazele
- The South African Policing Union wants President Ramaphosa to immediately lift Fannie Masemola’s suspension and reinstate him as National Commissioner.
- The union says his removal created uncertainty at the top of SAPS, and wants those responsible for any misconduct in the case held accountable too.
The South African Policing Union is demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa immediately reinstate National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, after fraud charges against him were formally withdrawn in court.
“For SAPU, the withdrawal of the charges must now be followed by decisive action. President Cyril Ramaphosa must immediately lift General Masemola’s suspension and reinstate him as National Commissioner,” the union said in a statement.
SAPU said the damage done to Masemola’s reputation and leadership “cannot simply be erased,” and argued his removal created real uncertainty at the highest level of the police service, with serious implications for stability and national security.
“The question South Africa must ask is: what would have happened had the weaknesses in this case not been exposed?” the union said.
The union called on Ramaphosa to act without delay.
“The President must now restore stability and certainty to the SAPS. General Masemola must return to his office without further delay. His reinstatement should have happened yesterday,” it said, adding a direct appeal: “Mr President, the charges are withdrawn. End the uncertainty. Reinstate General Masemola now.”
SAPU also said anyone found to have committed misconduct or abused the process that led to Masemola’s arrest should be held accountable through the appropriate channels.
This follows the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to withdraw fraud charges against Masemola, after finding there was never enough evidence to justify them. He had stood accused alongside alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala over a multimillion-rand police healthcare tender.
Masemola told media on Tuesday the case “took a toll” on him and his family, and confirmed Ramaphosa had not yet contacted him.
Pictured above: Suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has officially been cleared of the charges against him.
Image source: Supplied
