Pretoria – Suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has described the past few months as a “difficult journey” after charges against him were formally withdrawn in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) charges were withdrawn after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.
Masemola had faced four PFMA charges linked to a controversial SAPS health-services tender awarded to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company, Medicare24. The contract at the centre of the case was valued at about R228 million.
The charges related to allegations that Masemola failed to provide adequate oversight of the procurement process.
Speaking after the withdrawal, Masemola reflected on the impact of the case.
“It was a difficult journey. It’s a lesson.”
WATCH | Charges against suspended National Police Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola have been formally withdrawn. Masemola says the ordeal has been tough and adds that institutions tasked with holding people accountable must be allowed to do their work. pic.twitter.com/6c9a8TGG2C
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 22, 2026
The NPA’s decision followed a review of evidence gathered by the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), together with a Case Assessment Panel report and an assessment by independent senior counsel.
The NPA said there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution after the review. The authority has also indicated that the circumstances surrounding the prosecution will be subjected to further scrutiny to determine whether any misconduct occurred in the assessment and enrolment of the case.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi said prosecuting a case without sufficient evidence would not be in the public interest.
“Enrolling a case for prosecution where evidence is not sufficient to sustain a successful prosecution is not in the public interest.”
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says they have reported National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola’s matter to the IDAC Judge to investigate whether there was any malice in the charges against him. He says there was not enough prima facie evidence to charge him. The NPA will… pic.twitter.com/OsYl0p0J7S
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 22, 2026
The withdrawal followed concerns about the strength of the case, with Masemola having been charged with four counts relating to alleged failures to prevent unauthorised, irregular and wasteful expenditure connected to the tender.
Despite the criminal charges being withdrawn, Masemola’s suspension remains a separate matter. Any decision on whether he returns to his position rests with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The development comes after Masemola spent months away from his post following his arrest and subsequent suspension earlier this year.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
