President Ramaphosa to address the nation on Thursday regarding police matters
via The Citizen2 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to address the nation on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 4 PM, potentially focusing on South African Police Service SAPS matters. He will be accompanied by the Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, at a briefing at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This address follows National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola's appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Masemola faces four counts of contravening the Public Finance Management Act PFMA related to a R228 million SAPS health services tender. The state prosecutor requested his matter be added to a case involving Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and 15 co-accused. Earlier this week, SAPS acknowledged that public trust in the police has "eroded." Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe described Masemola's court appearance as a "defining moment" for the service, emphasizing SAPS's commitment to accountability and the rule of law, stating that no one is above the law. Mathe called for honesty, introspection, and renewal within the organization to rebuild public trust and strengthen systems.
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