"A tattoo has nothing to do with someone being a criminal. One can be a gangster without a tattoo," said SA Police Union spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA has written to Saftu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi demanding that he immediately call a special central committee over the suspensions of the federation's national office bearers.
Fannie Masemola, who served as deputy commissioner, is being described as the right fit for the task given his many years of experience within the police service.
Police minister Bheki Cele on Thursday took a dig at outgoing national commissioner Gen Khehla Sitole during a media briefing in Durban, emphasising he did not have a preferred candidate to replace Sitole, but whoever it was needed to be someone he could work with.