Police Commissioner facing criminal charges: Is the quick response by NPA a sign of real reform to come?

President Cyril Ramaphosa has "noted" the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to charge Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.

In a statement issued by the Presidency, he further noted the arrests of the 12 senior police officers on the same procurement-related matter.

The President said he'd be addressing the issue in accordance with the law, and is working with the Minister of Police to ensure that the SAPS "remains stable and able to continue fulfilling its policing mandate".

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Does the speed with which the NPA acted in this case signal a path to real police reform in the face of the corruption being exposed at the Madlanga Commission?

General Masemola is linked to the irregular awarding of a multimillion-rand tender to Medicare 24, a company owned by controversial businessman Vusumuzi 'Cat' Matlala.

While President Ramaphosa has not yet announced the suspension of the police boss, forensic lawyer Andrew Keightley-Smith says we can expect some sort of formal notification in the coming days.

Although this is a sad development for the country in terms of the broader picture, it also serves as a positive because we're seeing some sort of accountability where ordinarily we have not, says Keightley-Smith, senior associate at ENSafrica Forensics.

The tide does seem to be turning, even though the country is still dealing with the hangover of its anti-corruption mechanisms in the state capture era, he adds. The forensic lawyer also contrast this quick response with the much slower rate of action following the findings of the earlier Zondo Commission.

"There are some exceptionally talented individuals out there that are putting in a lot of hard work to combat corruption in SA and while it might not always be seen in the news, I can confirm that it really is happening."

"In my mind it's also probably down to the fact that we're rectifying some of the wrongs, replacing some of the 'bad apples' that were inthe NPA historically."

Keightley-Smith says it is imperative that arrests and prosecutions in matters involving police officers or people linked to anti-corruption mechanisms happen quicker rather than slower because of the accused's ability in examples like this to interfere with cases.

"From a timing perspective it's really positive to see these arrests are happening quickly, and I have no doubt many will still come in the next few months in relation to what comes out of the Madlanga Commission."

For more insights on the drive to root out police corruption, listen to the interview audio at the top of the article