MASЕMOLA BACK IN THE SADDLE!

Staff Writer / Mon, 19 October 2026

National police boss General Fannie Masemola is back in the saddle

Masemola returned to work on Monday, 19 October, and was welcomed by Deputy National Commissioners, provincial commissioners and other senior South African Police Service (SAPS) managers.

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His return follows the withdrawal of criminal charges against him, paving the way for his reinstatement as National Commissioner.

Addressing senior management on his first day back, Masemola said his return was bigger than one individual and was about restoring stability, unity and accountability in the police service.

“I return to the office of the National Commissioner, determined to unite our organisation, strengthen its institutional integrity and advance our constitutional responsibility to serve and protect the people of South Africa,” he said.

Masemola stressed that the police service’s constitutional mandate must come before personal interests and internal differences.

“The SAPS is bigger than any one person, and our constitutional mandate must always take precedence over personal interests, internal differences and individual circumstances,” he said.

He said his focus would be on strengthening the institution, improving frontline policing and ensuring that police were ready to fight crime.

His return also comes with renewed emphasis on protecting democratic processes, driving institutional reforms and rebuilding public confidence in the police.

Masemola’s message to senior management was that the organisation must remain focused on its responsibility to protect communities and uphold the rule of law.

The National Commissioner’s return marks a new chapter for the police service as it faces continued pressure to improve accountability, operational effectiveness and its response to crime.

News Junction