South African police chief General Fannie Masemola, who has denied any role in the controversial R360m health tender awarded to Vusi “Cat” Matlala’s company in 2024, has been placed on “precautionary suspension” by President Cyril Ramaphosa for failing in his oversight duties, reports the BBC.
The contract, meant to provide health services to the police, was given to Matlala’s company Medicare24 Tshwane in 2024, but was cancelled last year and has since become the subject of a criminal investigation.
Masemola has been charged with violating part of the Public Finance Management Act. “I know that I’m not guilty, I’m not wrong, but the (law) must take its course,” he said.
Ramaphosa said it was vital for law enforcement agencies to be “capable, ethical and effective”, but his decision to appoint Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane as Masemola’s replacement is already being questioned.
She has been the police service’s chief financial officer since 2018 and been in the force for almost 20 years, but oversaw the police’s finances during the period the alleged corruption took place. She has previously denied any involvement in corruption.
Since the cancellation of the contract, a dozen senior police officers have been formally charged and accused of colluding with Matlala, who has also been charged with corruption. None of them has yet been asked to plead in court.
Masemola, who was also not asked to enter a plea, is the only one who has not been charged with corruption. He faces four counts of breaching the Public Finances Act.
BBC article – South African police chief suspended over $20m health contract (Open access)
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