PRESIDENT APPOINTS DIMPANE ACTING NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSIONER; MCHUNU REMAINS SUSPENDED AS MINISTER

President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the media after appointing Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane as Acting National Police Commissioner, flanked by the Acting Minister of Police Prof Firoza Cachalia and Lt-Gen Dimpane at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, 23 April 2026.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension and appointed Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane as Acting National Commissioner with immediate effect.

The Presidency confirmed the decision on Tuesday. Masemola faces internal disciplinary charges and is expected to appear in court. The move follows a call by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron for Masemola’s suspension after allegations of interference in high-profile cases emerged at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu remains on suspension. He continues to receive his ministerial salary and benefits, including VIP protection and official transport. Mchunu said he is awaiting a decision by the ANC’s national leadership on when he may return to his duties as a member of the National Executive Committee.

Mchunu was suspended after KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused him of corruption, improper ties to a tender tycoon, and interference in police operations. Mchunu appeared before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission to defend his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team and to respond to the allegations. He denies wrongdoing.

At the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday, suspended Sedibeng District Commissioner Brigadier Abraham Nkhwashu testified that he was instructed by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni to request the docket relating to the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.

Swart was shot 23 times on 17 April 2024 outside his workplace. Police believe he was killed in a case of mistaken identity after his company exposed alleged price inflation at Transnet. The firearm used in the killing has been linked to other high-profile murders. Businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe has been arrested in connection with the case.

Opposition parties ActionSA, the Democratic Alliance, and the Economic Freedom Fighters criticised the series of acting appointments in SAPS. They called for permanent leadership and a full investigation into the service, saying the reliance on acting positions undermines accountability.

The Presidency has not indicated when a decision will be made on Mchunu’s position as Minister of Police. Lt-Gen Dimpane previously served as Deputy National Commissioner for Policing.

Acting National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane following her appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Dimpane replaces Gen Fannie Masemola who was placed on precautionary suspension. Pretoria, 23 April 2026.