National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has been charged under the Public Finance Management Act in connection with a controversial SAPS tender.
Image: Kopano Tlape / GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa is under mounting pressure to act decisively against National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, following confirmation that he has been served with a court summons linked to the controversial Medicare24 police contract.
Masemola is expected to appear in court on 21 April, a development that has intensified scrutiny over the leadership of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and raised urgent questions about accountability at the highest level of policing.
The pressure comes amid widening controversy around Masemola, including explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry by suspended Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya. Sibiya has alleged that Masemola was fully aware of, and had discussed, plans to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), contradicting claims that the national commissioner was caught off guard by the move.
According to Sibiya, Masemola was privy to discussions about restructuring the unit and potentially absorbing it into the SAPS murder and robbery division. He further maintains that any role he played in signing off on processes related to the disbandment was done under direct instruction from Masemola, warning that refusal would have amounted to insubordination.
Adding to the pressure, a University of South Africa Professor in the Human Sciences Faculty Boitumelo Senokoane, has warned that the situation reflects deeper, systemic problems within SAPS and poses serious ethical concerns. Senokoane drew a striking comparison between the current crisis and the influence of notorious Sicilian mafia boss Toto Riina, who exerted control over law enforcement structures through intimidation and corruption.
According to Senokoane, the history of the SAPS commissioner’s office has been marred by repeated controversy. He cited former commissioners such as George Fivaz, Jackie Selebi, Riah Phiyega, and Bheki Cele, all of whom faced allegations or findings related to misconduct, corruption, or questions over their fitness for office.
He also pointed to ongoing instability within SAPS leadership, including the suspension of Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya by Masemola himself, as further evidence of a troubled institution.
Senokoane argued that these patterns reinforce the principle that any police official accused of wrongdoing should step aside. “This supports the stance that anyone accused or alleged to have been involved in criminal activities as a police officer ought to be suspended pending the process,” he said.
Beyond legal considerations, Senokoane stressed that the issue is fundamentally ethical. He said it is a moral expectation that any police officer facing allegations or charges should take leave or be suspended until the matter is finalised.
“It will be unthinkable, unfair, irrational, and unethical to expect an investigation to happen while General Masemola remains active as head of SAPS,” he said.
He warned that Masemola’s continued presence in office could compromise the integrity of any investigation, given that, as national commissioner, he oversees the very structures responsible for probing the allegations.
“Everyone reports to him. He will have all the opportunity, possibility and time to interfere with the investigation,” Senokoane added.
The developments have placed Ramaphosa in a politically sensitive position, with growing calls from civil society and opposition parties to relieve Masemola of his duties quickly. Critics argue that allowing the head of SAPS to remain in office while facing the courts risks undermining public trust and creating the perception of double standards.
The Presidency has not yet indicated when Ramaphosa will take action but the president is expected to announce this week.