The MK Party has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to lift National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s suspension, saying there is “no lawful or rational basis” for keeping him out of office after criminal charges against him were withdrawn.
MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said Ramaphosa should terminate Masemola’s suspension “as soon as practically possible, preferably within the next 24 hours”.
“The criminal proceedings against General Masemola have collapsed, all charges have been formally withdrawn and no lawful or rational basis remains for keeping him outside his office,” Mahlangu said.
The charges against Masemola were withdrawn on Tuesday after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) concluded there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the prosecution.
The MK Party has rejected the NPA’s explanation, describing the prosecution as “frivolous, vexatious and malicious” and alleging that it provided Ramaphosa with a pretext to suspend the national police commissioner.
The party also pointed to evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission, saying it established that Masemola acted within approximately two weeks and used the period to complete consultations before making his decision.
MK also questioned the conduct of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), referring to the resignation of former IDAC head Andrea Johnson and the suspension of IDAC investigators.
The party said the circumstances surrounding the prosecution had been referred for judicial scrutiny following evidence before the Madlanga Commission.
MK questions Ramaphosa’s actions
The party also questioned why Masemola remained suspended while Ramaphosa was recovering from illness.
It referred to the Presidency’s announcement on September 16 that Ramaphosa had been booked off public engagements and instructed to rest, while pointing to his appearance at the ANC Veterans’ League Presidential Fundraising Golf Day at Country Club Johannesburg on September 21.
Mahlangu argued that Ramaphosa did not need to attend a public event to sign the instrument terminating Masemola’s suspension.
The party further linked Masemola’s continued suspension to the country’s crime situation, including the killings of women in Ekurhuleni and elsewhere.
It pointed to Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia’s call for Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo to assist with the Ekurhuleni investigations.
“The continued suspension of General Masemola is an injustice to him, an insult to the South African Police Service and a reckless obstruction of stable police leadership during a national crime crisis,” Mahlangu said.
“Ramaphosa must perform his constitutional duty and restore General Fannie Masemola to office without further delay.”
