By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed the South African National Police Services (SAPS) National Commissioner Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension, until his case is finalised.
Addressing the nation alongside Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia from the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday, Ramaphosa said it was vital that the public has trust in the people that the government has appointed.
Masemola made a brief appearance in the Pretoria Magistrates Court earlier this week, facing four counts of violating the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
The charges relate to a controversial R360 million police tender that was irregularly awarded to the controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlatla.
The matter was postponed to next month where Masemola will appear alongside his subordinates and Matlala in the dock.
“I have agreed with General Fannie Masemola that he should be placed on precautionary suspension,” said Ramaphosa.
The president has appointed major general, Puleng Dimpane as the acting police commissioner.
Ramaphosa said Dimpane had close to two decades of experience in the police service and was the divisional commissioner for financial management services.
“She has extensive experience in policing, financial management and governance. She has reputation for professionalism as well as integrity.”
He added that a key area of focus would be dealing with procurement weaknesses in the SAPS supply chain management systems.
He said he would not be appointing a commission of inquiry into Masemola’s fitness to hold office and instead would let the legal process run its course.
Ramaphosa has been facing mounting calls to act against Masemola.
Parliament’s police portfolio committee chairperson, Ian Cameron, called for an urgent executive action to replace Masemola with a credible acting leader.
“At a time when South Africans are under siege from crime, uncertainty at the very top of SAPS is unacceptable. The President must act now, suspend the National Commissioner and appoint a credible acting leader immediately.”
“Both the executive and administrative leadership of SAPS are effectively compromised. This is not a routine matter; it is a full-blown leadership crisis in an institution already struggling to meet its most basic mandate,” he said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) federal leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, called for Masemola to be placed on precautionary suspension. The party said the presence of a senior police official facing criminal charges in office raises concerns about public confidence in the SAPS.
“That law is clear, it empowers the President to establish a board of inquiry into allegations of misconduct by the National Commissioner… and to suspend him pending the outcome of that inquiry,” he said.
ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip called for immediate intervention by the presidency, asserting that accountability should not be delayed while public trust in state institutions is at risk.
Dimpane was appointed as CFO for the South African Police Servicein 2018. She was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.
She joined the SAPS in 2007 as a senior superintendent (colonel) provincial commander, Internal Audit. She was appointed as provincial head, Financial and Administration Services for six years.
Prior to being appointed as CFO, she was serving as a major general, deputy provincial commissioner: Asset Management in the Free State Province. She has experience in internal auditing as well as finance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce as well as a Honours Degree in Business Administration.