SAPS General Fannie Masemola is set to face criminal charges in a widening corruption scandal tied to a tainted R360-million SAPS health services tender, awarded to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Image: Kopano Tlape / GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the charges involving Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that Masemola has been served with a notice to appear in court over the R360 million tender.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said Masemola was summoned to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on April 21.
He declined to provide details on the charges. “That’s all we can say, because we can’t talk about the contents of the summons,” Kganyago said.
SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the summons relates to the Medicare 24 procurement tender.
She said Masemola was served on Wednesday and will comply with the legal process.
Mathe said the national commissioner remains committed to the rule of law and will cooperate fully.
“General Masemola welcomes any investigation or due process that seeks to address allegations of wrongdoing,” she said.
Ramaphosa also noted the charges alongside the broader arrests of 12 senior police officers linked to the same procurement matter.
The Presidency in a statement said any action regarding Masemola will follow due legal process.
“The President, working with the Minister of Police, is committed to ensuring that SAPS remains stable and able to continue fulfilling its policing mandate,” read the statement.