Update:
President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola following his court appearance on corruption-related charges linked to a multimillion-rand police tender.
Ramaphosa appointed Major General Puleng Dimpane as acting police commissioner.
📢 Acting Appointment | President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane as the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), with immediate effect. #GovZAUpdates pic.twitter.com/Bfp7fO5Dra
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 23, 2026
In his address, Ramaphosa described Dimpane as having ‘a reputation for professionalism and integrity,‘ stating that she will lead the attempt to address the weaknesses in the police’s procurement system.
The move comes amid mounting pressure on the presidency to act as the crisis within the South African Police Service deepens.
Masemola is being placed on suspension as investigations continue into alleged violations of the Public Finance Management Act tied to a controversial R360-million tender awarded to businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, with prosecutors seeking to consolidate the two.
Ramaphosa emphasised that the matter is being investigated and that this case should not undermine morale in the fight against corruption.
Ramaphosa expressed that the higher structures of the police force are now heavily vetted, with Masemola being placed on a precautionary suspension. The President affirmed that Cachalia and Dimpane are perfectly capable and efficient, despite their ‘acting’ titles.
The address was followed by several questions from reporters, with a huge focus on the status of Masemola’s case.
Masemola’s suspension marks a significant development in efforts to address corruption allegations within the country’s top law enforcement structures, as scrutiny intensifies over leadership and governance in SAPS.
Picture: @GovernmentZA / X
Ramaphosa tackles growing SAPS turmoil in late afternoon address
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the country this afternoon as turmoil within the South African Police Service (SAPS) intensifies, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Ramaphosa, joined by Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia, will brief the media at 4pm from the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
While the Presidency did not disclose the full agenda of the address, it is widely expected that the President will confront the growing crisis of governance, accountability and public confidence within the police service following the arrest of several senior SAPS officials — most notably National Commissioner Fannie Masemola.
📢MEDIA ALERT | President @CyrilRamaphosa, accompanied by the Acting Minister of Police, Prof. Firoz Cachalia, to address the media in a briefing.
🗓️: Thursday, 23 April 2026
🕟: 16h00 (media to set up at 14h30)
📍: Media Centre, Union Buildings, Pretoriaℹ️For more info:… pic.twitter.com/BCQgVstmzs
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) April 23, 2026
Masemola is facing four counts of allegedly violating the Public Finance Management Act in connection with a controversial R360-million tender awarded to businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
The case has sent shockwaves through the country’s top law-enforcement ranks and raised urgent questions about oversight, procurement controls and internal ethics within SAPS.
The matter was postponed to 13 May, when Masemola is expected to appear in court alongside Matlala and 12 other police officials implicated in the case.
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Picture: Felix Dlangamandla / Gallo Images
