#sapsHQ [GENERAL FANNIE MASEMOLA MEETS SENIOR MANAGEMENT ON FIRST DAY BACK AT WORK] At the Media briefing, upon his return to work, the National Commissione, General Fannie Masemola reiterated that, "My focus is on leadership, institutional renewal, and improving the capacity of the SAPS to deliver measurable results in the fight against crime." ## Summary of the National Commissioner’s Media Briefing on His Return to Office General Fannie Masemola, National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Date: Monday, 19 October 2026 General Fannie Masemola’s media briefing focused on his return to office following the lifting of his precautionary suspension after the National Prosecuting Authority withdrew the charges against him. He emphasised that his return was not about an individual, but about reaffirming the rule of law, ensuring institutional stability and strengthening the SAPS’s constitutional responsibility to serve and protect the people of South Africa. The National Commissioner expressed gratitude to President Cyril Ramaphosa for lifting his suspension and thanked his family and members of the public for their support. He reaffirmed his commitment to due process, fairness, accountability and ethical leadership, stating that his priority was to unite the organisation and improve its effectiveness in combating crime. Key priorities outlined in the National Commissioner's briefing included: - Unity and institutional strengthening: Promoting professional solidarity, collective leadership, mutual respect and accountability across all levels of the SAPS. He acknowledged Lieutenant General Dimpane for serving as Acting National Commissioner and indicated that he would receive a formal handover report to ensure continuity. - Accountability and institutional reform: Preparing to consider the recommendations of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, with the aim of addressing systemic weaknesses, improving transparency and restoring public confidence in the police service. - Strengthening frontline policing: Improving police station resources, vehicle availability, equipment, technology, staffing levels and response times. The Commissioner also announced plans to recruit new police trainees and fill vacant posts according to operational priorities and available resources. - Preparation for Local Government Elections: Ensuring operational readiness through intelligence-led planning, threat assessments and appropriate deployment of personnel and resources. He expressed concern about attacks and killings involving political party members and candidates and pledged decisive action against political violence, intimidation and unlawful conduct. He stressed that the SAPS must remain politically impartial. - Safer Festive Season operations: Intensifying efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide, murder, robbery, sexual offences, illegal firearms, drug trafficking and organised crime. Operations will include increased police visibility, road safety enforcement and targeted interventions at crime hotspots, transport facilities, shopping centres and tourist destinations. - Police morale and professionalism: Restoring pride in the police uniform, supporting members who serve with integrity and ensuring that corruption, abuse of authority and unprofessional conduct are addressed fairly and firmly. NP