It is now up to President Cyril Ramaphosa to decide if and when to lift the suspension of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
This is according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who was reacting to the withdrawal of criminal charges against Masemola.
Newsnote spoke to Ntshavheni on the sidelines of the government-led clean-up campaign in KwaThema, Springs.
She said the government welcomed the withdrawal of the charges against Masemola.
“So we welcome the withdrawal of the charges against the National Commissioner, General Masemola. We had indicated even from the beginning that justice will take its course, and we had indicated that even when the work of the Madlanga Commission [is] to say we need to clean the system so that there cannot be frivolous charges against people. So we welcome the withdrawal of the charges,” said the minister.
She said only the President could decide on the next step regarding the commissioner’s possible return to work.
“And the other question relating to his return to work, you know, is the President’s responsibility. I have no clue. I can’t even comment on that part.
But we appreciate that he has been vindicated that he is not guilty,” she said.
Ntshavheni commended Masemola for not playing the victim when he was charged.
“And we appreciate that he subjected himself to the laws of the country. Even when he was charged, he didn’t convene press briefings.
He didn’t do anything. He waited for his day in court. And today he had a better day in court when the charges were withdrawn,” Ntshavheni said.
Ramaphosa is expected to make a decision on Masemola’s future following the withdrawal of the charges.
Ntshavheni also called for the law to take its course in the criminal case against Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, who appeared in court on rape charges.
“In terms of the arrest of General Sibiya, we appreciate that the law has no—justice has no eyes. And justice prevails across. So we need to wait for his day in court for him to face the law and then answer to the charges,” said Ntshavheni.