Fannie Masemola has returned as National Police Commissioner after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his precautionary suspension. He promised to improve police stations and step up the fight against crime.
The suspension was lifted after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew the charges against him, according to IOL.
“The SAPS is bigger than any one person, and our constitutional mandate must always take precedence over personal interests, internal differences and individual circumstances,” Masemola said in a message marking his return.
Masemola thanked Ramaphosa for lifting the suspension. He said he had trusted the legal process the whole time. He said the experience showed him the value of due process and fairness.
He also thanked South Africans who backed him during the suspension. He gave special thanks to his wife and children.
Masemola said his focus would be on uniting the police service and making it better at fighting crime. He asked senior police managers to show ethical leadership and work together.
He said differences inside the police should be handled in a helpful way. The needs of the service and communities must come before personal matters, he said.
Masemola thanked Lieutenant General Dimpane, who served as acting National Commissioner while he was away. He said he would receive a formal handover report on key events, priorities and open matters.
He said police stations would get more of the vehicles, equipment, technology and staff they need. The plans include more police vehicles, more visible policing and faster response times.
Masemola said the recruitment of new police trainees would start soon. Work to fill empty posts would also be sped up, in line with approved priorities and available money.
Provincial commissioners and station commanders will have to explain how they use resources. Masemola said deployments should follow crime patterns, population needs and community needs.
The coming local government elections are another priority. Masemola said provincial commissioners would be asked to check readiness and identify crime hotspots.
He raised concern about attacks on and killings of political party members and candidates. He said Crime Intelligence would give him a full briefing on these cases.
“No political affiliation places anyone above the law, and every person must be able to participate in democratic processes without fear,” he said.
He asked political parties and their supporters to show tolerance and settle differences peacefully. He said the police would stay impartial.
Masemola said the National Safer Festive Season operations would continue during election preparations. Priorities include gender-based violence and femicide, murder, robbery, sexual offences, illegal firearms and drug trafficking.
Police will also increase visibility at shopping centres, transport facilities, tourist spots and known crime hotspots. Road safety enforcement and intelligence-led operations are also on the list.
Masemola said corruption, abuse of power and unprofessional conduct would be dealt with firmly and fairly. He said members who work with integrity should be supported and recognised.
He also referred to the coming final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. He said the SAPS would need to consider and carry out its relevant recommendations.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.