Activists and Citizens Forum Alleges Plot Against Fannie Masemola, Warns of National Destablisation

A civil society organisation has accused a faction within the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) of orchestrating a calculated campaign against the National Commissioner of Police, Fannie Masemola (pictured), warning that the move threatens to destabilise the country.

In a media statement issued on Saturday, the Activists and Citizens Forum alleged that the recent summons served on General Masemola is not a legitimate anti-corruption measure but a “fightback” by individuals seeking to capture the police service and the criminal justice system.

The statement, from spokesperson Dennis Bloem, comes after a week in which IDAC announced the arrest of 12 high-ranking police officers linked to a controversial R360 million MediCare24 contract involving businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. While the group initially acknowledged public praise for the directorate’s work, it claimed the announcement of Masemola’s summons revealed a hidden agenda.

“Everybody can see that this is clearly a fightback from those who are hellbent to capture the police services and the entire criminal justice system by charging the National Commissioner Fannie Masemola,” Bloem said.

The forum did not defend Masemola unequivocally, stating: “We can say without any doubt that Commissioner Masemola is not a rogue police, unlike so many of his colleagues, some who are Generals who are implicated at the Madlanga Commission and the Parliamentary Ad-Committee.”

The group questioned why senior officials implicated in other inquiries had not been charged, while Masemola whom it described as being “busy cleaning the SAPS” now faces legal action.

Bloem drew a parallel with former national commissioner General Khomotso Phahlane, whose career, he said, was similarly “destroyed” while he was serving as an honest public servant.

The forum urged President Cyril Ramaphosa and Acting Minister of Police Feroz Chachalia to scrutinise the summons, warning that the alleged faction within IDAC intends to “plunge the country into serious turmoil.”

“The President has the responsibility to guard against counter revolutionaries,” Bloem added.

Masemola is expected to appear in court on the 21st of April 2026.