Charges against suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola are expected to be formally withdrawn in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The National Prosecuting Authority previously instructed prosecutors to withdraw the Public Finance Management Act charges against Masemola after a review found that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution. (National Prosecuting Authority)
The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption relating to alleged violations of the PFMA.
The NPA said the decision followed consideration of evidence gathered during the investigation, a report by its Case Assessment Panel and an independent Senior Counsel’s opinion. (National Prosecuting Authority)
National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi said prosecuting a matter where the evidence is insufficient to sustain a successful prosecution would not be in the public interest.
The NPA has also indicated that the matter will be reported to the IDAC judge for further scrutiny, including an assessment of the circumstances surrounding the prosecution team’s assessment of the evidence, the enrolment of the case and the application of the law. (National Prosecuting Authority)
Masemola’s suspension is a separate matter from the withdrawal of the criminal charges. Any decision regarding his return to duty would have to be dealt with separately.
