South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner Fannie Masemola has vowed to prioritise unity, accountability and crime-fighting over internal divisions as he returned to office on Monday, following the withdrawal of criminal charges that led to his six-month precautionary suspension.
Also see: President Ramaphosa’s decision on Fannie Masemola draws attention to police oversight
Fannie Masemola addresses return
“I return ready to work with all of you. I’m not here to avenge or revenge,” Masemola said on his first day back at the helm of the police service.
Masemola called on senior police officials to end divisions and mistrust, saying the organisation could not fulfil its constitutional mandate if personal interests and internal disputes took precedence over public safety.
“We cannot build a strong police service on divisions, mistrust or competing personal interests,” he said, adding that professional solidarity, effective leadership and mutual respect were essential to restoring public confidence.
[WATCH] “I’m not here to avenge or revenge…” says Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola on his return to work after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his precautionary suspension. #Newzroom405 https://t.co/MtnmC8Hi1q
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 19, 2026
His return follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to lift his precautionary suspension, announced on 16 October 2026, after prosecutors withdrew charges against him linked to a R228 million police healthcare contract.
Masemola had been accused of failing to comply with financial oversight and procurement controls relating to the contract awarded to Medicare24. He denied the allegations.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions ordered the charges withdrawn on September 15, and the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court formalised the withdrawal on 22 September.
General Fannie Masemola has arrived in Pretoria ahead of his first meeting with the SAPS senior management team following the lifting of his suspension.
#KayaNews #MasemolaReturns TT https://t.co/1csF5lm61W
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) October 19, 2026
Also see: Fannie Masemola breaks silence after charges are withdrawn
What are the plans?
Masemola’s return comes as the police service faces continued scrutiny over allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration of law enforcement, including issues being examined by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
He said SAPS would focus on strengthening frontline policing, improving police station services, recruiting officers and directing resources to communities that need them most.
WATCH | National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola says he is not seeking revenge or retribution as he resumes his duties, but is focused on ensuring justice and building a stronger, more effective police service. https://t.co/VWXNhxpLQL
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 19, 2026
“Our most important measure of success is the experience of the public at a police station and in communities where they need immediate assistance,” he said, according to The Citizen.
Masemola was also expected to meet provincial and divisional police commissioners on his return, with about five months remaining in his term.
His reinstatement restores the police service’s permanent national leadership after Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane served as acting commissioner during his suspension.
Masemola said the priority was now to unite the organisation, improve its performance and rebuild public confidence while ensuring that accountability and institutional reform remained central to its work.
#sapsHQ [GENERAL FANNIE MASEMOLA MEETS SAPS SENIOR MANAGEMENT ON FIRST DAY BACK AT WORK]
General Fannie Masemola, National Commissioner of the South African Police Service has been welcomed back by Deputy National Commissioners, Provincial Commissioners as well as other senior SAPS managers today.
General Masemola emphasised that his return was not about an individual, but about reaffirming the rule of law, ensuring institutional stability and strengthening the SAPS’s constitutional responsibility to serve and protect the people of South Africa.
“I return to the office of the National Commissioner, determined to unite our organisation, strengthen its institutional integrity and advance our constitutional responsibility to serve and protect the people of South Africa.
My return is not about an individual; it is about the responsibility entrusted to this office and the continuity of leadership in an institution central to our democracy. The SAPS is bigger than any one person, and our constitutional mandate must always take precedence over personal interests, internal differences and individual circumstances,” said General Masemola.
The National Commissioner’s return marks a renewed commitment to unity, accountability, institutional reform and improved frontline policing, with a clear focus on operational readiness, protecting democratic processes, combating crime and restoring public confidence in the SAPS. NP
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 19, 2026
Featured image: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu
Originally published by African Insider.
Also see: NPA withdraws charges against police commissioner Fannie Masemola
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!
