JOHANNESBURG - Recommendations from the National Development Plan (NDP), made 14 years ago regarding the appointment and leadership of Police Commissioners, have not been implemented.
According to policing expert Johan Burger, this failure is a key reason South Africa continues to face leadership instability in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
In 2012, the NDP highlighted serious concerns about leadership within SAPS and called for wide-ranging reforms. Burger says these reforms were never fully implemented.
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"This has never happened and that is why we continue to see leadership problems," he says.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola will be placed on precautionary suspension, pending the outcome of his criminal case.
According to the Presidency, the decision is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of ongoing investigations and maintaining public confidence in the police service.
Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane has been appointed as acting National Police Commissioner in the interim.
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Dimpane has a background in accounting and has previously advised the National Commissioner on financial discrepancies within the organisation.
She reportedly raised concerns in relation to the R360 million Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala matter. Following this, Masemola allegedly acted on the information and cancelled the contract.
Burger says SAPS is a large and complex organisation requiring diverse expertise, including logistics, operations, and finance. He adds that Dimpane’s role and experience in financial oversight should not be underestimated.
Masemola has approximately 14 months remaining on his contract before retirement.
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Burger suggests it may be necessary to wait for the outcome of legal proceedings to determine the extent of any alleged involvement in corruption.
If he is cleared before his term ends, he could potentially return to his position.