President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted the precautionary suspension of national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, allowing him to return to his full duties on Monday, 19 October.
The Presidency announced the decision on Friday, following the withdrawal of criminal charges against Masemola.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Masemola and Ramaphosa had agreed to the precautionary suspension in April after the police chief appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to face charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions instructed on 15 September that the charges against Masemola be withdrawn. The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court formally withdrew the charges on 22 September.
Ramaphosa welcomed Masemola’s return to his duties and thanked Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane for serving as acting national police commissioner during his absence.
The lifting of the suspension paves the way for Masemola to resume his leadership of the South African Police Service after several months away from his full responsibilities.
