Political parties have applauded President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to suspend the Commissioner of Police charged with the R360 million tender, Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola.
Politicians said that Masemola deserves to be suspended as he is facing a case affecting the tender given to the company of a businessman who is facing a series of cases, Mr. Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Ramaphosa announced that he will be replaced by Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, who is in charge of police finances.
Ramaphosa said Masemola will be suspended from work until the trial is over.
Masemola appeared briefly at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where he was charged with breaching the Public Finance Management Act.
Ramaphosa said they decided to give Masemola a break as he is still facing a case.
Masemola will return to court next month when he will appear with Matlala and 12 other police officers who have been charged with charges related to the tender awarded to Matlala’s company.
Ramaphosa said he decided to suspend Masemola so that the reputation of the police would not be damaged.
“If you will remember correctly, we said this year that we want to fight organized crime and violence. I said that in order to end crime, we must have honest police officers. It is important that we have police leaders who are trusted by the people.”
Ramaphosa said he trusts Lieutenant General Dimpane to handle the situation.
“I trust him that he will be able to control himself. He has experience in the police and in other agencies. He has been with the police for 20 years. We want him to continue to strengthen the campaign against crime. Violent crimes have decreased. We are looking for a decrease in the number of sexual abuse cases.”
Ramaphosa said Masemola’s suspension will not interfere with the fight against crime.
“The impeachment of Masemola should not interfere with the work of the police. The police should not be discouraged, they should continue to fight crime.”
The Secretary General of the ANC, Mr. Fikile Mbalula, said they welcome the appointment of Lieutenant General Dimpane.
MKP spokesperson, Mr. Nhlamulo Ndhela, said that they do not trust Lieutenant General Dimpane.
“He has never been a police officer. He came to the police to work in money management. Crime is getting worse here in South Africa, we have a problem with gangs. How are we going to fight this crime.”
DA leader, Mr Geordin Hill-Lewis, said Masemola’s suspension will protect the reputation of the police.
Hill-Lewis said the suspension of Masemola clearly shows that there is confusion in the police.
A member of ActionSA, Ms. Dereleen James, said that they are tired of the fact that key positions in the police force are held by people who hold them.