The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and ActionSA have expressed concerns with the growing leadership instability in the country’s security cluster, following the precautionary suspension of National Police Commissioner general Fannie Masemola.

On Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Masemola following his Tuesday appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.

Masemola faces four counts of violating the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The charges relate to his role as the South African Police Service (SAPS) accounting officer and involves a contract awarded to Medicare24, a company linked to businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

“In consideration of the seriousness of these charges and the critical role of the National Commissioner in leading the fight against crime, I have agreed with general Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case,” said Ramaphosa.

In the meantime, he appointed SAPS Divisional Commissioner for Financial Management Services Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane as the Acting National Commissioner of Police.

Having been in the police service for close on two decades, having extensive experience in policing, strategic management, financial management and governance, Ramaphosa expressed confidence in Dimpane.

IFP Chief Whip in the National Assembly Nhlanhla Hadebe noted Dimpane’s appointment but warned that a "growing trend" of temporary leadership is undermining national security.

"The concurrent presence of both an Acting Minister and an Acting National Commissioner signals a troubling lack of stability, continuity, and decisive leadership,” he said.

Hadebe pointed out that while the IFP extends the "benefit of the doubt" to Dimpane, the party emphasised that permanent appointments must be prioritised to restore public confidence and fulfil the SAPS’s constitutional mandate.

ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James echoed these sentiments, describing the current situation as a "cycle of acting appointments".

James pointed out that Masemola’s suspension adds to a “pattern of instability” that includes the previous suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

"Today marks another indication of the growing instability obstructing law enforcement from fulfilling its most basic mandate to protect South Africa and her people,” said James.

ActionSA maintained that while decisive action is necessary to protect SAPS's integrity, “repeated reactive interventions" underscore what the party believes is a deeper failure of leadership and oversight at the highest levels of government.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron stressed that the appointment of an Acting National Commissioner must mark a turning point for SAPS.

“This is an opportunity to restore stability, reinforce ethical leadership, and refocus SAPS on its core mandate of fighting crime and protecting citizens. The Acting National Commissioner must act decisively to rebuild institutional integrity,” she said.

Cameron reiterated that individuals implicated in ongoing investigations, including those linked to the Madlanga Commission and the Ad Hoc Committee, should be suspended pending the finalisation of investigations.

“The path forward must be defined by transparency, accountability and ethical governance. South Africans deserve a police service that works in their interest, not one distracted by internal crises,” he stated.

Democratic Alliance (DA) federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed Dimpane’s appointment as a “necessary step” to protect the integrity of the office and to ensure that SAPS continues to function while Masemola’s case unfolds.

The party reiterated its call for a board of inquiry into Masemola’s fitness to hold office, stating that suspension is not enough.

“These serious allegations require full and proper scrutiny so that accountability is not delayed, diluted or quietly avoided.

“But this also lays bare the deeply alarming state of SAPS senior management. South Africans now face the extraordinary reality that the Minister of Police, the National Commissioner, and a Deputy National Commissioner have all been suspended or placed on leave,” Hill-Lewis said.

Lobby group AfriForum described Masemola’s precautionary suspension as a “shameful” result of the long-standing systemic decline of the SAPS.

“… with this suspension, Masemola joins the ranks of many of his predecessors who were forced to leave office due to corruption, misconduct, fraud, and incompetence,” the organisation said.

AfriForum chief spokesperson for Community Safety Jacques Broodryk warned that the latest developments are destabilising the SAPS even further.

“The decision will result in operational uncertainty and a further decline in the morale of police members and public confidence in the police service,” he stated.