Acting Police Minister Defends Acting Commissioner
Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has been named Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia spoke up in her defence during a recent National Council of Provinces meeting, addressing concerns about her appointment, security clearance, and role in a controversial contract.
Who Is Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane?
General Dimpane has spent many years in public service. She previously served as the SAPS chief financial officer. According to the minister, she holds a top‑secret security clearance that is valid until July 2029 and has never been linked to any wrongdoing that is currently under investigation by the Madlanga Commission.
The Medicare24 Contract Issue
A contract called Medicare24, awarded to a company tied to alleged crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has drawn criticism. The agreement was flagged for irregular spending by the SAPS Audit Committee.
How Dimpane Handled the Situation
Cachalia explained that the chief financial officer does not take part in awarding contracts. Dimpane only became involved after the Audit Committee pointed out the irregularities. She then:
- stopped payments on the invoices,
- made sure the irregular spending was recorded correctly in the financial statements,
- pushed for a full forensic investigation, which led to the contract being cancelled.
Security Clearance and Vetting
The minister confirmed that Dimpane’s security clearance has been checked and is up to date. He acknowledged that some senior police managers lack proper clearances and said the ministry is working to improve lifestyle audits and vetting processes, with help from the State Security Agency.
Fit and Proper for the Job
When asked if Dimpane meets the “fit and proper” standard, Cachalia said yes. He highlighted her independence, professionalism, and clean record as reasons President Cyril Ramaphosa chose her for the acting commissioner role. He also noted that her appointment supports the government’s goal of placing more women in senior police positions.
Police Vetting Weaknesses
Delegates raised concerns about the overall state of security vetting in SAPS. Cachalia admitted there are capacity gaps that make thorough lifestyle audits difficult. He said improving these processes is part of the police ministry’s reset agenda, aimed at restoring integrity and public trust.
Conclusion
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia stands behind Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, describing her as a competent, honest leader with an unblemished service record. He believes her leadership will help the police service move forward, especially while it faces scrutiny from the Madlanga Commission. The focus now is on strengthening vetting procedures and ensuring that senior officers uphold the highest standards of conduct.
