Fannie Masemola a Free Man, Ready to Return to Work as Charges Are Withdrawn

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is a free man after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew the four charges against him at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Masemola faced four charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) in connection with the controversial SAPS-Medicare24 tender involving businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

The charges were withdrawn after National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi reviewed the case and concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.

The NPA said Mothibi considered the evidence gathered by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), a Case Assessment Panel report and an assessment by independent senior counsel before instructing that the charges be withdrawn.

According to the NPA, its prosecution policy requires that there be reasonable prospects of success before a matter is enrolled for trial.

“Enrolling a case for prosecution where evidence is not sufficient to sustain a successful prosecution is not in the public interest,” the NPA said.

The NPA has also referred aspects of the matter for further scrutiny, including how the evidence was assessed and how the case was enrolled and handled.

Masemola has made it clear that he wants to return to his position as national police commissioner.

“If the president calls me tomorrow, I’ll be at the office – energetic to go back,” Masemola said.

His lawyer indicated that his return to office would involve discussions between Masemola, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the police minister.

Masemola was suspended after being charged in April in connection with the Medicare24 matter. The criminal case had placed his position as the country’s top police officer under considerable uncertainty.

The withdrawal of the charges means that the PFMA case against him will no longer proceed.

The collapse of the criminal case also brings renewed attention to evidence heard by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry about how Masemola came to be charged.

During former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson’s testimony in July, commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned why Masemola had been charged together with people facing fraud and corruption allegations when his own charges related to the PFMA.

Madlanga told Johnson that Masemola had been “lumped” together with the other accused and questioned whether this had been done to embarrass him, taint his reputation and create the impression among members of the public that he was complicit in fraud and corruption.

Johnson conceded that Masemola’s case should have been dealt with separately, although she denied that there had been an intention to embarrass him.

The commission also heard further allegations about the way investigations involving Masemola were handled.

IDAC prosecutor Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy testified that there had been an effort within the directorate to target Masemola and Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo. She further alleged that Masemola was to be kept unaware of certain investigations before appearing before Parliament, with the intention of allowing him to give an allegedly incorrect account that could subsequently expose him to a perjury charge.

Whether Masemola will be reinstated as National Commissioner remains to be seen. The position is currently held by Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, who was appointed Acting National Commissioner in April 2026 following Masemola’s suspension.