Calls are mounting for suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to be reinstated following former Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Andrea Johnson’s testimony before the Madlanga Commission.
During her appearance on Wednesday, Johnson conceded there was no sound legal basis for charging Masemola alongside alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused.
Matlala and the other accused face fraud and corruption charges linked to the multimillion-rand South African Police Service (SAPS) tender awarded to Medicare24. Masemola, however, was charged separately with allegedly contravening provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Civil society organisations have argued that Johnson’s concession undermines the criminal case against Masemola and strengthens the case for his reinstatement. They contend that criminal charges should not have been brought against the suspended police commissioner.
Dennis Bloem, leader of the Activists and Citizens Forum, said his organisation had consistently maintained that Masemola had been unfairly targeted and had previously urged President Cyril Ramaphosa not to suspend him.
“We have consistently said IDAC was malicious in its pursuit of Masemola and that the President should refuse to suspend him. Now, with what has come out at the Madlanga Commission, we are calling for the national commissioner to be reinstated. General Masemola must return to work immediately,” Bloem said.
The Forum for South Africa (FOSA), another organisation that has criticised Johnson’s handling of the matter, also called for Masemola’s reinstatement.
“There must be corrective action. It’s clear that the national commissioner was targeted and has no case to answer. In our view, it is Johnson herself who should be held criminally liable,” said FOSA president Tebogo Mashilompane.
Mashilompane also argued that President Ramaphosa should not have allowed Johnson to leave IDAC, saying the move could hinder efforts to hold her accountable.
Johnson concluded her testimony on Wednesday after declining to answer questions relating to allegations that she acted to benefit suspended deputy head of Crime Intelligence, Feros Khan.