Cape Town – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has suspended nine police officers linked to the controversial Medicare24 tender, as investigations into the multi-million-rand contract continue to widen.
In a statement, SAPS confirmed that the officers, who served on the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) during the procurement process, have been placed on suspension pending the outcome of disciplinary and related investigations.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspensions form part of SAPS’ commitment to accountability and ethical governance.
“The affected members have been placed on suspension pending the finalisation of disciplinary and related investigations,” Mathe said.
She added that SAPS remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency and ethical conduct in all its operations.
“As the matter is subject to ongoing processes, the SAPS will not comment further at this stage,” she said.
The suspensions mark the latest development in a scandal that has rocked the police service and attracted scrutiny from both Parliament and the judicial commission investigating alleged criminal networks within law enforcement.
According to The Citizen, the Medicare24 Tshwane District contract, awarded in 2024, has featured prominently in proceedings before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry as well as Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of organised crime infiltration within SAPS and the broader criminal justice system.
The contract, initially advertised at R360 million, has been the subject of intense scrutiny following revelations that significantly more funding was available within the SAPS budget.
During testimony last year, businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala explained how his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, secured the lucrative healthcare services contract. Evidence presented to Parliament revealed that although the tender was advertised at R360 million, approximately R600 million had been budgeted for the project.
[BREAKING] Eleven SAPS officers have been served with suspension notices in link to the Medicare24 saga. The officers have been charged with failure to perform their duties. Tune in to #eNCA, channel #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/YiWi4ZeP8P
— eNCA (@eNCA) June 5, 2026
SAPS Chief Financial Officer Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane later informed Parliament that the contract had been flagged as possible irregular expenditure during the first week of March 2024. Following further assessment, it was formally declared irregular in May, with R466 million ultimately disclosed as irregular expenditure.
The controversy deepened further in March this year when at least 12 senior police officers and a company director were arrested during a series of raids carried out by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
The arrests were linked to allegations surrounding the awarding of the Medicare24 contract to Matlala’s company. Matlala, who is facing separate attempted murder charges, has become a central figure in investigations into alleged corruption and procurement irregularities within SAPS.
According to evidence previously presented, the concept behind Medicare24 Tshwane District reportedly originated from Mike van Wyk, a resident of the same estate as Matlala.
The suspension of the nine Bid Evaluation Committee members is expected to place further focus on the procurement process that led to the awarding of the contract, as investigators seek to determine whether officials complied with procurement regulations and whether criminal conduct occurred.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
