DA, ActionSA and Rise Mzansi welcome the suspension of National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola

The Democratic Alliance (DA), ActionSA and Rise Mzansi have welcomed the suspension of National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.

But the DA still wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to take his action one step further and establish a board of inquiry into Masemola’s fitness to hold office.

ActionSA, meanwhile, said that the police service cannot be run by acting incumbents as this undermines the stability within the SAPS.

READ: President places Masemola on precautionary suspension as he faces criminal charges

Masemola appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court this week on charges of mismanaging public finances in the awarding of a R360-million healthcare tender.

DA Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said that the appointment of Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane is necessary to protect the integrity of the office.

But he said that suspending Masemola while he faces criminal charges is not enough.

Under the SAPS Act, the President is empowered to establish a board of inquiry into allegations of misconduct by the National Commissioner, his fitness to hold office, or his capacity to execute his duties efficiently.

"These serious allegations require full and proper scrutiny so that accountability is not delayed, diluted or avoided."

With Police Minister Senzo Mchunu still on suspension, both the DA and ActionSA said that this is not a sign of a healthy police service.

ActionSA said that the reactive interventions point to a deeper failure of leadership and oversight, and that South Africans can’t be expected to accept a cycle of acting appointments.

Rise Mzansi added its support for the suspension.

MP Makashule Gana said that he would have expected Masemola to ask to be placed on suspension instead of waiting for the President to act.

READ: President places Masemola on precautionary suspension as he faces criminal charges

Gana said that party expects Dimpane to keep a close watch on tenders and to safeguard public finances.

Dimpane, who is the Chief Financial Officer within the SAPS, was appointed in an acting capacity on Thursday afternoon by Ramaphosa.

"In Parliament, we are going to follow and support the work if she stays true to the work of protecting and keeping South Africans safe. That’s what we want to see as Rise Mzansi, because the first duty of the state is to keep the people of South Africa safe, so we wish her everything of the best, and we hope Major General Masemola will use this time to focus on clearing his name, so that this matter is brought to rest."