General Fannie Masemola has now been provisionally suspended. (Photo: @SAPoliceService/Twitter)
General The provisional suspension of Fannie Masemola, the national police commissioner, is being welcomed from various quarters.
“But suspension alone is not enough,” says Geordin Hill Lewis, the DA’s new federal leader.
Hill-Lewis on Thursday afternoon shortly after pres. Cyril Ramaphosa informed South Africans that the head of the police has been provisionally suspended, pointing out that Ramaphosa as president has a constitutional duty to ensure that the police service functions efficiently.
“That duty now requires more than just another temporary solution,” Hill-Lewis said late in the afternoon.
“It requires decisive action to restore stability, credibility and integrity to one of the most important institutions of the Republic.”
Masemola’s suspension was not exactly a surprise, largely because a few days ago he appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on four charges of breaching the Public Financial Management Act.
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa during Thursday’s announcement. (Photo: GCIS).
Ramaphosa explained at a media conference in the Union Building on Thursday that he and Masemola, in light of the seriousness of these charges and the important role of a national police commissioner in the fight against crime, had agreed that Masemola would be temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the investigation against him.
“It is of course a source of great concern for all South Africans that the national commissioner of police is in court on criminal charges,” Ramaphosa conceded in the Union Building.
“However, we must not allow this development to weaken our resolve or reduce our ability to fight crime and corruption,” Ramaphosa urged.
‘Unhealthy police service’
Masemola’s suspension means that the Minister of Police, the National Police Commissioner and a Deputy National Police Commissioner have now all been suspended or placed on leave due to allegations of corruption.
“This is not a sign of a healthy police service,” Hill-Lewis pointed out to South Africans late in the afternoon. “This is a sign of an institution in deep crisis at the highest level.”
Hill-Lewis says South Africans cannot be expected to trust a police service when scandals, suspensions and allegations of corruption have become defining features of its senior command.
“No police leader can be allowed to remain in the position if their continued presence undermines confidence in the institution they are supposed to lead.”
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa during Thursday’s announcement. (Photo: GCIS).
‘Important precedent’
Ian Cameron, DA MP and chairman of the portfolio committee on the police, believes that Masemola’s suspension now creates an important president.
“In a country that experiences high levels of crime, South Africans must have full confidence that those entrusted with upholding the law are above suspicion. This decision sends a clear and unequivocal message: No one is above accountability.”
“This decision sets an important precedent that must be applied consistently across the entire policing system and serve as a deterrent against maladministration and abuse of power.”
Cameron said shortly after the announcement on Thursday that Masemola’s suspension is therefore a necessary step towards restoring credibility and stability in the South African Police Service (SAPD) “especially at a time when the public’s trust in the institution has been seriously tested”.
Jacques Broodryk, chief spokesperson for community safety at AfriForum, also believes that Masemola’s suspension is necessary given the serious charges against him.
However, Broodyrk is now worried that Masemola’s suspension could only further destabilize the police.
General Fannie Masemola testifies before the ad hoc committee. (Photo: Parliament/X)
“The decision will lead to operational uncertainty and a further decline in the morale of police members and public trust in the police service,” Broodryk warned on Thursday afternoon.
Broodyrk pointed out that Masemola is now just one of several police chiefs who have finally been forced to leave office.
“If the allegations against Masemola are true, he now finds himself in the same company as previous commissioners such as Jakie Selebi, Bheki Cele and Riah Phiyega, who caused unprecedented damage to the SAPS’s reputation.
“The appointment of strong, ethical leaders is now – in the midst of the current storms raging in the SAPS – even more important than ever before if South Africa really wants to fight crime,” he says.
‘Stability’ asked from Puleng Dimpane
Ramaphosa has Lt. Gen. Puleng Dimpane appointed acting national police commissioner. Dimpane was apparently appointed “to ensure stability and continuity in the South African Police Service”.
Dimpane is currently the divisional commissioner for financial management services at the SAPS.
According to Ramaphosa, Dimpane has been in the police service for almost two decades and she has “extensive experience” in policing, strategic management, financial management and government.
“Lt. Gen. Dimpane has a reputation for professionalism and integrity. I am confident that she has the qualities and the status needed to provide effective leadership to the SAPS in this challenging period,” Ramaphosa assured South Africans on Thursday afternoon.
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa and Lt. Gen. Puleng Dimpane, now Acting National Police Commissioner. (Photo: GCIS)