Masemola is back at SAPS, and his first test is a wave of political killings before the local elections

Lieutenant General Fanie Masemola is back at the head of the South African Police Service, and he has put the service’s readiness for the upcoming Local Government Elections at the top of his list, alongside a warning that the police will act decisively against political violence and intimidation.

Masemola returned to office as National Commissioner on Monday, his first day at work at the Tshwane Academy, where he was expected to meet all Provincial Commissioners, Deputy National Commissioners and Divisional Commissioners. He thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa for lifting his precautionary suspension after the National Prosecuting Authority withdrew the charges against him, which cleared the way for his return.

He said the experience had reinforced the importance of due process, fairness and respect for the rule of law. “Ultimately, the truth must prevail, and institutions must be guided by evidence, integrity and justice,” he said.

The National Commissioner also expressed concern about attacks and killings involving political party members and candidates. He said he would receive a comprehensive briefing from Crime Intelligence on the incidents, including threat assessments and measures to strengthen prevention and investigations.

“We will act decisively against political violence, intimidation and unlawful conduct,” Masemola said. He stressed that the police would stay impartial. “No political affiliation places anyone above the law, and every person must be able to participate in democratic processes without fear.”

He called on political parties, their members and supporters to exercise tolerance, respect opposing views and resolve differences peacefully. On election preparedness, he said his engagements with provincial commissioners would assess readiness, identify crime hotspots and ensure intelligence, personnel and resources are aligned with emerging risks.

Masemola said his return was not about an individual but about the institution. “This day holds great significance, not because an individual has returned to office, but because it presents an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law, institutional stability, accountability and the national interest,” he said.

He called on senior management and police members to work on professional solidarity rather than division. “We cannot build a strong police service on division, mistrust, or competing personal interests,” he said. “Unity does not mean the absence of differences.”

The commissioner acknowledged Lieutenant General Dimpane for serving as Acting National Commissioner in his absence, and said he would receive a formal handover report covering key developments, operational priorities, progress made and outstanding matters.

On reform, Masemola said the SAPS awaits the final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and will consider its recommendations on strengthening accountability, addressing systemic weaknesses and advancing reforms. “As an organisation, we must be prepared to carefully consider and implement the relevant recommendations to ensure that we emerge stronger, more transparent and more accountable to the people we serve,” he said.

He set the public’s own experience as the yardstick. “Our most important measure of success is the experience of the public at the police station, in their neighbourhoods and when they need emergency assistance,” he said, adding that resources would keep going to frontline policing.

On capacity, Masemola said police stations would be better resourced, operational readiness improved, and frontline officers given the vehicles, equipment, technology and personnel they need. He said the SAPS would soon start recruiting new police trainees while accelerating the filling of vacant posts in line with approved staffing priorities and available resources. Deployments, he said, should be informed by crime patterns, population demands, operational risks and community needs.

He said the SAPS would sustain the National Safer Festive Season operations, with a focus on gender-based violence and femicide, murder, robbery, sexual offences, illegal firearms, drug trafficking and organised crime.

This report is drawn from the SAnews (South African Government News Agency) account of Masemola’s remarks, which summarises his first-day address rather than reproducing it in full. The original is at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/masemola-vows-strengthen-saps-and-fight-crime.