The EFF is unimpressed with Ramaphosa's decision, saying it is "another instance where a high-ranking police official is caught in serious wrongdoing, only to be placed on a cushioned, taxpayer-funded 'precautionary' suspension".

"This mirrors the disgraceful handling of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was similarly shielded through paid leave rather than decisive accountability. This pattern confirms that under the Ramaphosa-led ANC/DA government, corruption is not punished but managed, accommodated, and ultimately protected," the party said in a statement.

The EFF, whose leader Julius Malema is a convicted criminal, said the culture of impunity in the police "is drawn directly from the conduct of the Head of State", saying Ramaphosa has not been held accountable for Phala Phala.

"The EFF, therefore, rejects the hollow posture adopted by Ramaphosa, who only acts when political pressure mounts and scandals become unavoidable."

- Jan Gerber

ACDP deputy leader Wayne Thring said in a statement that his party welcomes Ramaphosa’s decision to place Masemola on precautionary suspension.

"General Masemola’s recent court appearance on charges relating to alleged violations of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) raises serious concerns about ethical leadership and accountability within South Africa’s law enforcement institutions," said Thring.

"Equality before the law is non-negotiable and senior public representatives must not only comply with the law but exemplify ethical conduct and sound stewardship of public resources.

"The PFMA exists to safeguard taxpayers’ funds and ensure transparent governance. Given the gravity of the charges, the ACDP believes suspension is both appropriate and necessary to protect the credibility of the office while legal processes unfold."

Thring also welcomed Dimpane’s appointment but is concerned that both the minister of police and the national commissioner are acting in their positions. 

"Crime requires decisive, permanent leadership, not interim arrangements. South Africans deserve more than placeholders in critical positions, as crime cannot be fought on an acting basis," said Thring.

- Jan Gerber

In a statement, police committee chairperson Ian Cameron said: “This action is both necessary and overdue. The integrity of SAPS must take precedence, and decisive leadership is critical to stabilising the institution and restoring public trust."

While Masemola's precautionary suspension did not imply guilt, Cameron said accountability at the highest levels of law enforcement cannot be compromised.

“In a country grappling with high levels of crime, South Africans must have full confidence that those entrusted with upholding the law are beyond reproach. This decision sends a clear message that no one is above accountability,” he said.

- Suné Payne

The DA welcomes Masemola's suspension and the appointment of an acting National Commissioner, Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane.

"This is a necessary step to protect the integrity of the office and to ensure that SAPS can continue to function while due process takes its course," said DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis in a statement.

"The DA has previously called for a board of inquiry into General Masemola’s fitness to hold office, and reiterates that call now. Suspension alone is not enough."

"What South Africa is seeing now is the consequence of years of weak leadership, blurred accountability and a failure to clean out compromised networks inside SAPS.

"The current government lurches from scandal to scandal and from suspension to suspension, while ordinary South Africans are left less safe and less free."

- Jan Gerber

Political reaction to Dimpane's appointment is now pouring in.

ActionSA said it would closely monitor Dimpane's acting appointment. The party said this appointment must “be to clean up the South African Police Service, not to frustrate or delay the work of this critical institution".

The party said this marks another indication of "growing instability obstructing law enforcement" from fulfilling its most basic mandate to protect South Africa.

It added to a growing pattern of suspensions at the highest levels of law enforcement. This included Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is effectively on gardening leave.

“The continued reliance on 'acting' appointments in critical positions such as the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner undermines stability within SAPS,” said the party's MP, Dereleen James, who sits on the ad hoc committee.

- Suné Payne

A career policewoman, Dimpane is the country's new acting police commissioner.

(Picture: Rosetta Msimango/News24)

But exactly who is she?

She joined SAPS in 2007, where she worked in auditing and accounting. From there she rose to the ranks of Free State provincial head of finance. Dimpane became chief financial executive officer.

She rose through the ranks where she was appointed as SAPS CFO on 1 January 2019 at the SAPS head office.

She reported to the now suspended Masemola.

(Picture: Rosetta Msimango/News24)

Importantly, during her appearance at the parliamentary ad hoc committee meant to unpack the Mkhwanazi allegations on 25 November, she testified about financials and budgets within SAPS.

Here, she spoke extensively about the costs associated with the Political Killings Task Team. She told MPs that while she worked broadly across financial operations, she did not work directly with supply chain processes.

This proved vital, as another general in SAPS, Molefe Fani, is under fire when it came to how and why alleged criminal Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala received a police contract worth more than R350 million.

She told MPs she did not know Matlala either.

- Suné Payne

Police deputy Cassel Mathela 

(Picture: Rosetta Msimango/News24)

Ramaphosa says he is waiting for the findings of the judiciary that he appointed, and if people find that disappointing, he doesn't know what to do.

He says he gave the Madlanga Commission a tight deadline. (The commission got an extension.)

"You will get another briefing from me soon," promises Ramaphosa.

"This concludes the media briefing, thank you," says Magwenya.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says he has "no view" on the ConCourt's Phala Phala decision, which is expected before the end of this month.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says his decision had nothing to do "with IDAC or whatever". He says IDAC makes its decisions to charge or not without any interference.

He says he doesn't express any views on court matters. Masemola must be allowed to go through to court process.

"Some trials go on forever," says Ramaphosa. He says they will do what needs to be done to stabilise the police, so they will keep an close eye.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says he wants the law to take its course. 

(Pictures: Rosetta Msimango/News24)

Ramaphosa is asked whether he is scared about the pending Phala Phala ruling from the ConCourt.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says he wants the law to take its course, but he doesn't want it to drag on. He says he also wants the Madlanga Commission to finish and then take a "very clear and focused decision".

He would like Masemola's trial to be very quick. "It does not immediately rule out what other actions I can take," says Ramaphosa.

- Jan Gerber

Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia.

Picture: Rosetta Msimango/News24

Ramaphosa says he is flanked by two capable people in response to a question that noted that the police minister and national commissioner next to him are both acting in their positions.

- Jan Gerber

News24's Bongekile Macupe says the law empowers Ramaphosa to establish an inquiry, but he opted to let the law take its course. But legal processes can drag on.

She asks whether he shouldn't just make a decision, and how South Africans should have confidence if he doesn't.

- Jan Gerber

"We will up the tempo now, in the fight against crime," says Ramaphosa.

He says South Africans must know they are now taking action. The SAPS must be rebuilt and made fit and proper to fight crime.

"We are on a journey."

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says they have agreed to let the criminal process get under way, Masemola being on precautionary suspension, while Dimpane acts.

It appears that there is no plan for an inquiry into Masemola's fitness for office.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says the Madlanga Commission is "absolutely necessary" and it is assisting a "great deal". Everyone in the police's top structure is now vetted.

Ramaphosa says the processes that led to Masemola being charged must be strengthened. He says it is only the court that can determine whether there was criminal intent; he can't pronounce on that.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says South Africans have a reason to be concerned about the effectiveness and stability of the police. He says several people have asked whether it was necessary to have the Madlanga Commission, and some said the Zondo Commission was useless.

All these commissions have been useful, including the Farlam Commission, says Ramaphosa.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa answering questions from the media.

(Pictures: Rosetta Msimango/News24)

Ramaphosa will now face questions - not something that happens every day. He is asked whether there will be an inquiry into Masemola's fitness for office and his thoughts on the nature of the charge.

- Jan Gerber

Lieutenant Puleng Dimpane was appointed as CFO for the South African Police Service in 2018. Puleng joined the SAPS in 2007 as a senior superintendent (colonel) provincial commander, Internal Audit.

She has experience in internal auditing as well as finance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce as well as an Honours Degree in Business Administration.

- Carol Paton

Ramaphosa wishes Dimpane well.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says it is a cause of great concern for South Africans that the national commissioner is in court, but it should not undermine morale in the fight against corruption. The law must take its course.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says the task team investigating matters arising from the Madlanga Commission has already made great strides and has made arrests.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa claims that the security cluster made great progress on an organised crime strategy, which will be led by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and will be properly resourced.

- Jan Gerber

SAPS CFO Puleng Dimpane is now acting national commissioner.

(Pictures: Rosetta Msimango/News24)

Ramaphosa says a key area of attention for Dimpane and the leadership is to address the weaknesses in the police's procurement system.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says Dimpane will be supported by a "strong team" of police leadership.

- Jan Gerber

He says that in all these efforts, they have upheld the rule of law. He says in response to national commissioner Fannie Masemola's appearance in court on charges relating to the Public Finance Management Act, he agreed with Masemola that he would be on precautionary suspension. General Puleng Dimpane will be acting police commissioner.

- Jan Gerber

Ramaphosa says there has been work done to improve the law enforcement agencies. In pursuit of these objectives, he established the Madlanga Commission, and he looks forward to its recommendations.

- Jan Gerber

President Cyril Ramaphosa, briefing members of the media.

(Pictures: Rosetta Msimango/News24)

Ramaphosa says he said in SONA that the primary objective would be to step up the fight against organised crime. For this to be done, the law enforcement agencies must be ethical and have the trust of the people.

- Jan Gerber

President Cyril Ramaphosa has just arrived for the briefing. He is with the acting police minister and Police General Puleng Dimpane. 

- Bongekile Macupe

Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, opens the briefing. There will only be five questions.

- Jan Gerber

Presidency DG Phindile Baleni is also here ahead of Ramaphosa’s briefing.

- Bongekile Macupe

Police deputy ministers Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale have just arrived at the media briefing venue ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's briefing.

- Bongekile Macupe

Masemola charged over R360m police tender, but denies wrongdoing

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on Tuesday insisted he was innocent and had done nothing wrong after he appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on charges linked to a controversial R360 million police tender.

Masemola faces four counts of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) in connection with a contract awarded to a company owned by tenderpreneur Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.

READ MORE

Ramaphosa may appoint inquiry into top cop Masemola as R360m court case looms

Under the South African Police Service Act, President Cyril Ramaphosa is obliged to appoint an inquiry to determine whether to suspend national police commissioner Fannie Masemola.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, told News24 late on Monday that the president was attending to the matter, without commenting further.

READ MORE

Criminal charges against top cop Masemola spark Ramaphosa suspension showdown

The man responsible for enforcing South Africa’s laws now stands accused of breaking them.

National police commissioner Fannie Masemola appeared in court on Tuesday for the first time, facing four charges of failing to comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

READ MORE

Masemola’s future as police commissioner unclear amid criminal allegations

While the DA wants national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola put on precautionary suspension, Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said he discussed the matter with President Cyril Ramaphosa, who gave him some “homework”.

Only the president may suspend a national commissioner when a board of inquiry into the commissioner’s conduct has been established.

READ MORE

Qaanitah Hunter | PFMA charges against top cop could open Pandora’s box

An unprecedented decision to charge national police commissioner Fannie Masemola under a section of financial law when he appears in court represents either a breakthrough moment for accountability or a dangerous gamble that could backfire spectacularly, argues Qaanitah Hunter.

READ MORE

Adriaan Basson | SAPS wars: Mothibi and Johnson must be protected as they go after Masemola

In 2008, I had a front row seat to the most cynical abuse of power by former president Thabo Mbeki and his henchmen in an attempt to protect then police chief Jackie Selebi from prosecution.

Mbeki suspended then-National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Vusi Pikoli for spurious reasons related to “national security” (always be careful when you hear that phrase), a week after Pikoli had informed Mbeki of the Scorpions’ intention to arrest Selebi for corruption.

READ MORE