The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is calling for the immediate reinstatement of suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola after criminal charges against him were withdrawn.
The call marks a significant change from SAFTU’s position when Masemola was suspended in April. At the time, the federation welcomed his precautionary suspension, saying it was necessary while the criminal case against him unfolded.
Masemola’s four charges under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) were formally withdrawn in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 22 September after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.
SAFTU now argues that with the criminal case no longer proceeding, there is no justification for keeping the country’s top police officer out of his position.
SAFTU’s statement
In its latest position, the federation said:
“SAFTU calls for the immediate reinstatement of suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.”
The call comes after the NPA reviewed the evidence gathered by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), together with a Case Assessment Panel report and an assessment by an independent senior counsel.
NPA head Advocate Andy Mothibi subsequently instructed that the charges be withdrawn, saying that proceeding with a prosecution where there was insufficient evidence to secure a successful conviction would not be in the public interest.
The NPA has also referred the circumstances surrounding the prosecution to the IDAC judge for further scrutiny, including whether there may have been misconduct in how the case was assessed and enrolled.
How Masemola ended up suspended
Masemola was placed on precautionary suspension by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April after appearing in court in connection with the controversial SAPS Medicare24 tender.
He faced four PFMA charges linked to his alleged responsibilities as an accounting officer in relation to the tender. The contract, initially reported at R228 million, was awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane, a company linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Masemola denied the allegations.
Ramaphosa said in Parliament that Masemola had consented to the precautionary suspension and that the decision was intended to allow the criminal process to unfold without interference.
Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane was appointed acting national commissioner during Masemola’s absence.
At the time, SAFTU supported the suspension, arguing that the integrity and credibility of the police leadership had been badly affected by the allegations. The federation also linked the controversy to wider concerns about corruption and criminal infiltration within the criminal justice system.
Charges dropped, but suspension remains
The withdrawal of the criminal charges did not automatically put Masemola back in his office.
The legal position has become an important part of the debate. While the criminal case against him has ended, the President still has to make a separate decision regarding his precautionary suspension and return to the position of national commissioner.
Masemola has made it clear that he wants to return to work.
“I want to serve the country,” he said after the charges were withdrawn, describing the period as a difficult journey.
He has also said he has not considered suing the state over the prosecution, while questioning whether investigative and prosecutorial functions within IDAC should be separated.
A dramatic reversal
SAFTU’s latest demand is notable because the federation had initially taken the opposite position.
In April, its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the suspension was unavoidable under the circumstances and argued that police leadership needed to be beyond reproach.
SAFTU had also called for stronger vetting, lifestyle audits and anti-corruption measures inside SAPS, alongside independent investigations into allegations emerging from the Madlanga Commission.
Now, after the NPA’s decision to abandon the case, the federation is putting pressure on Ramaphosa to bring Masemola back.
The issue leaves the President with a separate decision from the criminal proceedings: whether Masemola should remain suspended or return to lead SAPS.
For now, Masemola remains suspended while the decision over his future as national commissioner is considered.
