By: Bright Ntuli
There are mounting calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.
He has been formally charged with contravening the Public Finance Management Act. This relates to the alleged irregular awarding of a contract worth R360 million to Medicare 24, a company owned by Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson, Ian Cameron, says the credibility of SAPS cannot be allowed to erode further.
“The paralysis of senior leadership in the South African Police Service is deepening and is already a critical crisis within the police. This is not just a routine matter- it’s a full blown leadership crisis in an institution that is already struggling to meet its basic mandate,” said Cameron.
Leader of the Forum for South Africa, Tebogo Mashilompane, has echoed the same sentiments, adding that the continued presence of Masemola in office under a cloud of serious allegations represents a collapse of leadership standards.
“The image of the head of the police appearing in court while expected to lead the fight against crime, erodes public trust and weakens the authority of law enforcement on the ground. Failure to act decisively will confirm what many South Africans already fear that political protection is being prioritised over accountability,” said Mashilompane.
His case has been postponed until 13 May, when Masemola will join 16 others, including senior police officers and Matlala, in the matter.
