South African president lifts police chief's precautionary suspension

South Africa's National Police Commissioner Fani Masemola will resume his duties on Monday, six months after he was placed on precautionary suspension. President Cyril Ramaphosa reinstated him after the police chief was cleared of charges that he broke public finance rules in the irregular awarding of a tender. Prosecutors had accused him of failing to comply with financial oversight and procurement controls linked to a nearly $14 million police health services contract. It was awarded to a company owned by alleged crime boss Wusi Musi Katmatlala but was later cancelled after irregularities were uncovered. The contract became a focal point of the Madlanga Commission which is investigating allegations that criminal syndicates infiltrated parts of the country's law enforcement and criminal justice system. The charges against Masemola were formally withdrawn last month after a National Prosecuting Authority review found there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution. A local court in Pretoria formally withdrew the case shortly thereafter. Acting Police Minister Feroze Kachalia has welcomed Ramaphosa's decision to reinstate the Commissioner, saying it provides an opportunity to maintain focus on operational priorities.