R360m tender row: SAPS boss Masemola in court, pressure mounts on Ramaphosa

SAPS

Pretoria – National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is set to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in connection with a controversial R360 million SAPS health services tender awarded to Medicare 24, a company linked to alleged crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

In a significant development, Masemola is now expected to face formal criminal charges tied to alleged breaches of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), marking a pivotal moment for South Africa’s law enforcement leadership.

The summons requiring his appearance has sparked public debate, with some calling for his suspension.

Matlala and at least 15 co-accused, including senior police officers, have already appeared in court on charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to the same tender. The contract, awarded in June 2024, was cancelled in May last year after concerns over procurement irregularities and under-performance.

Masemola has denied any wrongdoing, insisting the summons is procedural. “I have not been charged; I have been summoned to appear in court, which anyone can receive. As far as whether I have done anything wrong, no, I did not do anything wrong. I cancelled the contract and followed the proper processes. That is as far as I want to comment on the matter,” he said, according to SABC News.

He also described the summons as a “normal process”.

As reported by The Citizen, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed he is consulting stakeholders on the matter and faces mounting pressure to act.

“I am having conversations with the various people who are involved in the security cluster, and we will be making an announcement soon about what I am going to do. So it will be coming soon. Watch this space,” the report quoted him as saying.

Ramaphosa also expressed concern about instability within the police, adding: “I am concerned about the instability that we’ve had… what has been aired is disturbing, but we now need to move forward on a completely new page.”

Calls for Masemola’s suspension have intensified, although no decision has yet been announced.

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