The MK Party has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately lift the suspension of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, citing no lawful basis for his continued absence from office. This call comes after the withdrawal of criminal charges against Masemola by the National Prosecuting Authority due to insufficient evidence. The MK Party views the prosecution as frivolous and malicious, providing Ramaphosa with a pretext for the suspension.
According to MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu, Ramaphosa should terminate Masemola's suspension within 24 hours. Mahlangu emphasized that with the collapse of the criminal proceedings and the formal withdrawal of charges, there is no justification for keeping Masemola out of office. The party also questioned the conduct of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, particularly following the resignation of its former head, Andrea Johnson, and the suspension of investigators.
The MK Party further pointed to evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission, which they claim establishes that Masemola acted within his authority. The party noted that Masemola used a period of approximately two weeks to complete consultations before making his decision, suggesting that his actions were lawful and justified. The circumstances surrounding the prosecution have been referred for judicial scrutiny.
The MK Party expressed concerns about Ramaphosa's actions, particularly why Masemola remained suspended while Ramaphosa was recovering from illness. On September 16, the Presidency announced that Ramaphosa had been booked off public engagements and instructed to rest. However, Ramaphosa appeared at the ANC Veterans' League Presidential Fundraising Golf Day on September 21.
Mahlangu argued that Ramaphosa did not need to attend a public event to sign the instrument terminating Masemola's suspension. The party linked Masemola's continued suspension to the country's crime situation, including recent killings of women in Ekurhuleni and elsewhere. They pointed to Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia's call for assistance in the Ekurhuleni investigations.
The MK Party emphasized that Masemola's continued suspension is an injustice to him and an insult to the South African Police Service. They view it as a reckless obstruction of stable police leadership during a national crime crisis. Mahlangu stressed that Ramaphosa must perform his constitutional duty and restore Masemola to office without further delay.
The party's call for Ramaphosa to lift Masemola's suspension is rooted in their belief that the suspension was unjustified and has negatively impacted police leadership. The MK Party's statements reflect their stance on the matter, urging Ramaphosa to take immediate action to rectify the situation.
Key points
- The MK Party urges President Cyril Ramaphosa to lift National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola's suspension within 24 hours.
- The criminal charges against Masemola were withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.
- The MK Party views the prosecution as frivolous, vexatious, and malicious.
