The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) notes and welcomes the suspension of the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola. This development was, under the circumstances, unavoidable.
It is deeply troubling that the head of the country’s police service has now appeared in court and is expected to appear again alongside an individual alleged to be linked to the so-called “Big Five” criminal syndicates. Regardless of the legal presumption of innocence, the mere fact of such proceedings irreparably undermines the integrity, credibility, and authority of the office he occupies.
The leadership of the police must be beyond reproach. South Africans cannot be expected to place their safety, dignity, and trust in an institution whose highest office is clouded by such serious allegations and associations.
SAFTU therefore supports the decision to suspend General Masemola as a necessary step to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations and to begin restoring confidence in law enforcement institutions.
At the same time, we note the appointment of General Puleng Dimpane as Acting National Commissioner. Given the gravity of the crisis within the police, we can only hope that this appointment has been subjected to rigorous vetting and integrity checks. South Africa cannot afford a recycling of compromised leadership at this critical moment.
The crisis within the police is not an isolated incident but part of a deeper systemic rot that has been laid bare by the Madlanga Commission. The Commission’s revelations have confirmed what working-class communities have long experienced: a police service weakened by corruption, infiltration by criminal networks, and a collapse of internal accountability mechanisms.
This has led to a profound erosion of public trust. Communities facing daily violence, crime, and lawlessness are increasingly left to fend for themselves, while confidence in the ability and willingness of the police to act decisively continues to decline.
SAFTU reiterates that restoring public confidence in policing requires far more than leadership changes.
It demands:
- A full, transparent, and independent investigation into all allegations emerging from the Madlanga Commission
- Immediate strengthening of vetting, lifestyle audits, and anti-corruption mechanisms within SAPS
- The removal and prosecution of all officials implicated in criminal activity, without fear or favour
- A rebuilding of the police service as a professional, accountable institution that serves the people, not criminal syndicates
South Africa is facing a deepening social crisis marked by rising violent crime, gender-based violence, and widespread insecurity. A compromised police leadership only worsens this crisis.
SAFTU will continue to demand a police service that is accountable, ethical, and firmly on the side of the working class and the poor.
A statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU by the General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.
For media inquiries contact:
National Spokesperson
Newton Masuku
newtonm@saftu.org.za
0661682157
Media Officer
Asive Dyani
0719019564
