SAPS BOSS IS BACK!

General Fanie Masemola is back at the helm

Suspended SAPS chief Fanie Masemola resumed duty on Monday as tender charges are withdrawn and police face deepening leadership crisis.

By CHRIS MAKHAYE

The National Commissioner was warmly welcomed and saluted by the police top brass as he walked into SAPS Headquarters on Monday morning (19 October 2026) for his first management meeting, marking the end of a tumultuous six-month hiatus.

The occasion signalled a decisive restoration of command at a time when the South African Police Service finds itself in the eye of a credibility storm.

As fate would have it, Masemola's return comes just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his precautionary suspension on 16 October, paving the way for him to resume full duties on Monday (19 October 2026).

From Suspension to Vindication

The General was suspended in April 2026 after appearing in court in connection with the controversial R360-million SAPS health services tender awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District, the company owned by businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala. The contract at the centre of the court case was valued at R228-million, with at least R50-million already paid before SAPS cancelled it in May 2025.

Masemola had faced four counts of contravening the Public Finance Management Act as accounting officer. In a remarkable turn, those charges have since been withdrawn. National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi directed the withdrawal on 15 September 2026, stating there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution, a decision formally confirmed by the Magistrate's Court on 22 September.

What He Said On His Return

In his first address to the executive, Masemola was measured yet unequivocal.

"Throughout this difficult period, I maintained my confidence in the legal process and in the principle that matters of this nature must be resolved through lawful and appropriate channels," he said.

In addition, he added: "To those who stood by me when it was difficult to do so, I remain deeply appreciative. I acknowledge the past, but I will not allow it to distract us from the future."

A Force Under Fire

The challenges that confront him are formidable. During his absence, the police force has come under fire following a sharp rise in gender-based violence cases, with advocacy groups questioning response times and conviction rates.

At the same time, the endless cycle of March and March has stretched the police force to its limit. The constant deployment to contain marches across major metros has not only depleted operational capacity but has called into question the fitness of officers, who have had to run to contain these marches, in some instances visibly struggling to keep pace with demonstrators.

A Hollowed-Out Top Brass

In essence, Masemola inherits a leadership corps that has been decimated.

A number of top officers have been forced out of the Service, some under a cloud of serious allegations:

• Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, who resigned on 12 October during disciplinary proceedings and whose exit was recorded as a dishonourable discharge;

• Major-General Richard Shibiri, former Head of Organised Crime, dismissed;

• Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, Head of Service Quality Management, dismissed over the Medicare24 saga;

• Major-General Feroz Khan, Crime Intelligence, dismissed and currently challenging his removal in court;

• Major-General Lesetja Senona, former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Head, who departed via resignation.

Meanwhile, Matlala himself and other co-accused still face criminal charges over the tender.Consequently, with Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane, who held the fort with distinction as Acting National Commissioner, now handing back the baton, the SAPS boss has made it clear that his priority is to refocus the organisation on its core mandate, to tackle violent crime, dismantle organised networks, and restore public trust.

SIDE BAR

The six-month saga that sidelined South Africa's top cop

Mid-2024 – The Tender: SAPS awards a R360-million health services contract to Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company owned by Vusimuzi Cat Matlala. The specific contract at the centre of the criminal case is valued at R228-million.

May 2025 – Contract Cancelled: SAPS cancels the Medicare24 contract after investigators flag irregularities. At least R50-million had already been paid.

Late 2024 to Early 2025 – IDAC Pressure: The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), under then-head Advocate Andrea Johnson, begins probing the tender. Masemola later tells the court he had been threatened with prosecution for some time if he did not cooperate with IDAC's expanding probe into SAPS procurement.

21 April 2026 – Indictment: Masemola and 12 other SAPS officials are charged in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court with four counts of contravening Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) as accounting officer. The state alleges failure to exercise adequate oversight over the tender. Outside court, Masemola says: "I know that I am not guilty, I am not wrong."

23 April 2026 – Suspension:  President Cyril Ramaphosa places Masemola on precautionary suspension by mutual agreement, pending finalisation of the case. Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane, SAPS Chief Financial Officer, is appointed Acting National Commissioner.

July 2026 – IDAC Reset: NDPP Andy Mothibi announces a six-month plan to reset IDAC following concerns about its case assessment processes. Advocate Johnson resigns amid mounting accusations in an offshoot scandal.

15 September 2026 – Charges Withdrawn: Mothibi invokes Section 179(5)(c) of the Constitution to direct that the charges be withdrawn. The NPA says: "Enrolling a case for prosecution where evidence is not sufficient to sustain a successful prosecution is not in the public interest," and confirms there are no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution on the PFMA charges.

22 September 2026 – Court Formalises: Pretoria Magistrate's Court formally withdraws the charges. Masemola is no longer a co-accused alongside Matlala, whose own tender corruption case continues.

16 October 2026 – Suspension Lifted: The Presidency announces Ramaphosa has lifted the suspension. Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says: "President Ramaphosa welcomes the National Police Commissioner on his return to his full duties."

Monday Morning (19 October 2026) – The Return: Masemola walks back into SAPS Headquarters to a salute from top brass, holding his first executive meeting and officially retaking command. TQ