Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane has been appointed acting national commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) by President Cyril Ramaphosa, following the suspension of national commissioner Fannie Masemola amid a corruption investigation linked to a controversial police tender.
Ramaphosa placed Masemola on precautionary suspension after he was charged in connection with alleged irregularities in a multimillion-rand health services contract awarded to a company associated with businessman Vusimuzi Matlala. The case centres on possible breaches of public finance laws and procurement procedures, with several senior police officials also facing charges. The presidency said the decision was intended to safeguard the integrity of SAPS while legal proceedings are under way.
Dimpane, 49, from Mahikeng in North West, assumes the role at a time of heightened scrutiny of the police service’s leadership and governance. She brings more than 23 years’ experience in the public service, including 18 years in senior management, and is currently serving as SAPS chief financial officer, the first woman to hold the position in the organisation’s history.
She began her career in 2002 as an assistant state accountant and gained experience across a number of provincial departments, including sports, arts and culture, provincial treasury, health and the national department of education. Her work has focused on auditing, accounting and financial management.
Dimpane joined SAPS in 2007 as a senior superintendent responsible for internal audit in the Free State. She later became provincial head for finance and administration before moving to the Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism as chief financial officer. She subsequently returned to SAPS, where she served as deputy provincial commissioner for asset management and was appointed divisional commissioner for financial management services in 2019.
Dimpane holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in auditing and accounting and an honours degree in business administration, along with additional qualifications in strategic management and leadership. She also serves on several boards and sub-committees.
Her appointment follows reports that she played a role in identifying irregularities in the tender now under investigation. SAPS has recorded improved financial reporting outcomes in recent years under her leadership in financial management.
As acting national commissioner, Dimpane is expected to ensure continuity in policing operations while overseeing the organisation during a period of institutional strain. Her responsibilities include maintaining stability within SAPS leadership, strengthening governance and financial controls, and supporting efforts to restore public confidence as the criminal case against Masemola and others proceeds.
Sources: News24, Daily Maverick, Reuters
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