Public Interest SA Welcomes Masemola’s Commitment to Accountability — Calls for Scrutiny of Senior SAPS Officials

JOHANNESBURG | Monday, 19 October 2026 — Public Interest SA welcomes National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s return to office and his renewed commitment to institutional integrity, professionalism and accountability, as articulated during his media briefing today.

We particularly welcome his undertaking that corruption, abuse of authority and unprofessional conduct will be addressed firmly, fairly and without favour.

However, we emphasise that accountability must never be conflated with revenge or vengeance. Equally, reconciliation and institutional unity must not become convenient pretexts for shielding wrongdoing or avoiding difficult accountability processes.

The disturbing revelations emerging from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry demand that all SAPS officials whose conduct raises credible concerns of impropriety be subjected to appropriate scrutiny, irrespective of their rank, position or proximity to the National Commissioner.

Of particular concern are the roles played by Major General Charity Matlou, whose affidavit formed a significant part of the basis for the now-withdrawn criminal charges against General Masemola, and Major-General Dipuo Ramorena-Tsoai, SAPS's litigation chief, whose conduct in relation to this matter has similarly raised questions warranting independent examination.

The serious deficiencies identified during the Commission's interrogation of Matlou's affidavit, together with concerns surrounding Ramorena-Tsoai's conduct, cannot simply be overlooked in the interests of institutional harmony.

Public Interest SA calls for an independent, objective assessment of their respective roles, including whether their actions complied with applicable laws, professional obligations and SAPS policies. Should credible evidence of impropriety emerge, comprehensive investigations must follow, with appropriate consequences wherever wrongdoing is established.

We recognise that the National Commissioner has a responsibility to restore unity, morale and institutional stability within SAPS. However, lasting unity cannot be built on impunity, just as accountability cannot be pursued through personal vendettas.

Public Interest SA therefore urges General Masemola and Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia to ensure that the SAPS Reset Agenda translates into consistent, impartial and demonstrable accountability.

Those found, through fair and lawful processes, to have acted unlawfully or in breach of applicable policies must face appropriate consequences, regardless of their seniority or proximity to political power.

Public confidence in SAPS will not be restored through declarations of good intentions alone, but through visible, principled and even-handed accountability.

ENDS

Issued by Public Interest SA

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