‘24 hours’: MK Party demands Masemola’s reinstatement after charges dropped

ATM leader Vuyo Zungula has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to explain why National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola remains suspended after criminal charges against him were withdrawn.

African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula and the MK Party have questioned why National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola remains suspended following the withdrawal of criminal charges against him.

Zungula has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to explain the legal basis for keeping Masemola out of office, while the MK Party has urged the President to lift the suspension.

The charges against Masemola related to alleged contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act in connection with the SAPS Medicare24 tender.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew the charges following a review by National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi, who concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution. The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court formally withdrew the charges on September 22, 2026.

In a letter to Ramaphosa, Zungula questioned whether there was still a legal and factual basis for Masemola’s continued suspension.

“The question that therefore arises is both simple and unavoidable: if the criminal charges constituted the basis for removing General Masemola from his duties, what is the present legal and factual basis for keeping him out of office after those charges have been withdrawn?” Zungula asked.

Zungula said the Presidency needed to clarify whether any outstanding disciplinary process, administrative investigation, security consideration or other lawful basis prevented Masemola from returning to work.

He acknowledged that the withdrawal of the criminal charges did not prevent Parliament from exercising its oversight responsibilities or exempt Masemola from accounting for matters within its mandate.

However, he argued that parliamentary accountability was separate from criminal prosecution and could not, without a clear legal basis, justify keeping the national commissioner out of office indefinitely.

“What cannot be accepted is a situation in which criminal charges are withdrawn, yet the consequences of those charges continue indefinitely while the Presidency simply indicates that the matter remains ‘under consideration’,” he said.

Zungula called on Ramaphosa to clarify what matters remained under consideration, whether any disciplinary, administrative or investigative proceedings against Masemola were continuing independently of the withdrawn criminal case, and when a final decision on his status would be made.

He also questioned whether the Presidency considered Masemola’s obligation to account to Parliament a reason to prevent his return to office and, if so, what legal basis supported that position.

Zungula said his questions were not intended to shield Masemola from accountability and maintained that legitimate concerns about the SAPS procurement process should be addressed through lawful procedures.