JOHANNESBURG - Independent policing Union of South Africa says all eyes will be on National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola as he returns back to work.
This comes as questions remain about police leadership and the decisions needed to improve command and control.
The union's general secretary, Mpho Kwinika, said that whether or not Masemola drew lessons from his suspension, it would only be he who would be able to answer that question through his actions.
“He might have learned a lot. We don't know, but we will see him. I think these six months should have taught him a lot: That when a decision is supposed to be made, he need to make it. He does not have to wait for someone to advise.
"These were not complex matters. These are command and control decisions which he has to make. And unfortunately, we saw what happened, from January 2025 up until he was suspended…”
After 6 months on the sidelines, charged with violating the PFMA, Masemola is now back at work.
READ | SAPS renewal tops agenda as Masemola returns to office
But he returns to a police service ravaged by allegations of corruption and infiltration by underworld figures and faces a tough task of restoring public confidence in the SAPS.
Masemola says unity is paramount within police
“I return to office determined to unite the organisation, strengthen its institutional integrity and advance our constitutional responsibility to serve and protect the people of South Africa. It's not about an individual; it's about the responsibility entrusted to the office for leadership continuity which the organisation SAPS is central to our democracy in the country."
As he returns to duty, Masemola says his first priority is preparing for the upcoming local government elections