New acting national top cop to focus on weaknesses in procurement process

The newly appointed acting police commissioner has her work cut out for her. She will focus on the weaknesses affecting the procurement of goods and services.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced General Puleng Dimpane’s appointment on Thursday, in light of placing General Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension.

Masemola’s suspension is due to the criminal charges that he is facing.

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He faces Public Finance Management Act-related charges linked to the multimillion-rand Medicare24 City of Tshwane tender – a company owned by dodgy tender tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Dimpane has been the South African Police Service (SAPS) CFO since 2018 and is an internal auditor by profession. She has headed the SAPS finance department in the Free State before taking over the police’s national purse.

Upon her announcement as acting police commissioner, Ramaphosa said she would focus on SAPS procurement processes.

“In the report of the Zondo Commission and through the proceedings of the Madlanga Commission, procurement has been identified as the source of corruption, abuse of office and instability within the police service.

“The Minister of Police will support the work that the SAPS leadership must now undertake to insulate procurement processes from any form of manipulation.”

Dimpane is also expected to sustain the momentum of the national fight against crime and corruption.

Ramaphosa said a strong team of experienced and dedicated police leadership will support Dimpane.