South Africa’s national police commissioner, Fannie Masemola, is to return to full duties on October 19 after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his precautionary suspension.
The presidency announced the decision on October 16. Masemola had been deemed suspended by agreement in April after appearing in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on charges under the Public Finance Management Act.
The criminal proceedings ended earlier. The National Director of Public Prosecutions instructed that the charges be withdrawn on September 15, and the court formally withdrew them on September 22, according to the presidency.
The new development is therefore the restoration of his police duties, not a fresh judgment or an acquittal announced today.
Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane served as acting national commissioner during the suspension. Ramaphosa thanked her for that work as he confirmed Masemola’s return.
