President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane as acting national police commissioner, placing General Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of a criminal case linked to a R360 million health services tender. The announcement was made at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday, 23 April, and takes effect immediately.
Dimpane, previously the SAPS chief financial officer, steps in as the third senior leader of the service to be displaced in weeks, with the police minister and Masemola’s deputy already suspended or on leave.
Masemola faces four counts under the Public Finance Management Act over the awarding of the Medicare24 contract.
Why Ramaphosa acted now
Ramaphosa framed the move as a response to criminal charges rather than a judgment on guilt.
“In consideration of the seriousness of these charges and the critical role that the national commissioner of police plays, I have agreed with General Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case,” he told journalists.
The Medicare24 contract, valued at about R360 million, covered occupational health services for SAPS members. Prosecutors allege the tender was awarded outside procurement rules.
Masemola has not entered a plea and is expected back in court later in the year.
Who is Puleng Dimpane?
Dimpane has been the SAPS chief financial officer since 2018 and was a lead witness before the Ad Hoc Committee probing irregular expenditure at the service.
Ramaphosa said she brings a “reputation for professionalism and integrity” to the acting role.
Her appointment is effective immediately. Dimpane is expected to focus on stabilising the service, steering the 2026/27 SAPS budget through Parliament and supporting acting police minister Firoz Cachalia on operational matters.
What happens next
Ramaphosa confirmed a permanent commissioner will be named only after due process concludes.
In the interim, Dimpane and Cachalia will jointly manage top-level policing decisions, including the Crime Intelligence shake-up and the ongoing Madlanga Commission inquiry.
