Johannesburg – The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately lift the suspension of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, describing his continued removal from office as a “national disgrace”.
The legal case against suspended police chief General Fannie Masemola over the disputed SAPS-Medicare24 contract came to an end on Tuesday, 22 September, after prosecutors formally dropped the charges against him.
Masemola had faced four charges under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) over alleged failures in oversight of the multimillion-rand health services contract awarded to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District.
With the charges withdrawn, Masemola was released and is now potentially set to return to his position as national police commissioner. A meeting between Masemola and President Cyril Ramaphosa is also reportedly being considered.
In a media statement issued on Thursday, the party said Ramaphosa should terminate Masemola’s suspension after the criminal charges against him were withdrawn.
[MEDIA STATEMENT]: RAMAPHOSA’S CONTINUED SUSPENSION OF GENERAL MASEMOLA IS A NATIONAL DISGRACE. pic.twitter.com/FcwWtzx43t
— MK Party in Parliament (@MKParliament) September 24, 2026
“The criminal proceedings against General Masemola have collapsed, all charges have been formally withdrawn and no lawful or rational basis remains for keeping him outside his office,” the party said.
The National Prosecuting Authority withdrew the charges after concluding that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the prosecution.
The MK Party said the NPA’s decision meant there was no justification for Masemola to remain suspended and called on Ramaphosa to act “as soon as practically possible, preferably within the next 24 hours”.
The party also questioned the circumstances surrounding the prosecution, referring to evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission and developments involving the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption.
Absence from public duties
It further criticised Ramaphosa over his continued absence from public duties while Masemola remained suspended, pointing to the President’s appearance at the ANC Veterans’ League Presidential Fundraising Golf Day on September 21.
The party argued that Ramaphosa did not need to attend a public event to sign the instrument ending Masemola’s suspension.
MK also linked Masemola’s continued suspension to South Africa’s crime situation, including the recent killings of women in Ekurhuleni.
“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,” the party said.
It added: “Ramaphosa must perform his constitutional duty and restore General Fannie Masemola to office without further delay.”
Masemola’s suspension remains a separate presidential decision from the withdrawal of the criminal charges, meaning the withdrawal does not automatically return him to his position.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
