South African police chief to return to work after suspension lifted

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted the suspension of the nation's police chief, Fannie Masemola, on Friday, his office announced. Masemola, who was suspended in April, is set to return to her duties on Monday. She had been charged with breaking finance laws related to an allegedly corrupt police contract, but those charges were dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority in September.

Masemola was accused of receiving bribes from the $21 million contract's winning bidder, which was for providing health and well-being services to police officers. Her return to office comes amidst a judicial commission of inquiry into widespread corruption allegations within the police force. The inquiry has seen multiple senior officers, including Masemola's former deputy Shadrack Sibiya, implicated in corruption and sexual offenses. Sibiya, currently in prison, faces a judgment on his bail this week.