South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed the country's top policeman on precautionary suspension following court charges against him.
Gen Fannie Masemola, 62, is alleged to have failed in his oversight duties concerning the awarding of a controversial $21 million health contract, which has become part of a criminal investigation and has been canceled.
Masemola has been charged with violating South Africa's Public Finance Management Act, which governs the spending of taxpayers' money.
After a court hearing, Masemola stated, I know that I'm not guilty, I'm not wrong, but the [law] must take its course.
He is the third police chief in South Africa to face criminal investigation while in office. President Ramaphosa justified Masemola’s suspension due to the seriousness of the charges and highlighted the critical role of the national police commissioner in the fight against crime.
The suspension will last until the court case is concluded, with Ramaphosa announcing the decision during a press briefing attended by Masemola's replacement, Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane.
Ramaphosa emphasized the necessity for law enforcement agencies to be capable, ethical and effective to maintain public confidence.
The case relates to a tender awarded to businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala’s company, Medicare24, intended to provide health services to the police. This contract was canceled in 2025, and numerous senior police officials, along with Matlala, have faced charges related to corruption, although Masemola has not been charged with corruption himself. He faces four counts concerning breaches of public finance regulations.
The allegations surrounding the health contract also emerged from an inquiry known as the Madlanga Commission, which was established by Ramaphosa to investigate corruption within the police force.
