Suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says there is a deliberate attempt to force him out of office, claiming that powerful individuals are trying to link him to corruption allegations tied to the controversial R360-million Medicare24 contract.
Masemola was speaking after appearing alongside alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and 15 co-accused at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The group faces corruption-related charges linked to the tender allegedly awarded to Matlala’s company.
Masemola is facing charges under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), alongside allegations of corruption linked to the contract.
Masemola denied any wrongdoing and suggested that there are influential people working behind the scenes to implicate him.
“I don’t think it’s SAPS alone [after me]. Somewhere, somehow, there is a greater motive [to get me].”
The suspended police commissioner also appealed for the legal process to be respected, saying the matter should be allowed to proceed through the courts without interference.
“I didn’t bring myself to court. Unfortunately, I also don’t know what’s happening. Probably someone somewhere knows what’s happening. I can’t say much more than that. I think there is more to it… it’s just the rule of law.”
The case has once again placed the spotlight on instability within the leadership of the South African Police Service.
Several national police commissioners have previously failed to complete their terms in office:
- Jackie Selebi — appointed in 2000 and later convicted of corruption for accepting bribes from convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti.
- Bheki Cele — served as national commissioner between 2009 and 2011 before being suspended over unlawful police lease agreements.
- Riah Phiyega — suspended in 2015 following findings by the Farlam Commission into the Marikana tragedy.
- Khehla Sitole — left office in 2022 after President Cyril Ramaphosa terminated his contract by mutual agreement amid tensions with political leadership and allegations linked to failures within SAPS.
Political analysts and policing experts have repeatedly warned that recurring controversies involving SAPS leadership continue to weaken public confidence in law enforcement and undermine efforts to combat organised crime and corruption.
Meanwhile, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says investigators still need to verify information and analyse outstanding bank statements before the matter can proceed.
“There are some very obvious things we have heard that we want to finalise in our investigation following consultations with accused number one. We have to verify all the information, check all the outstanding bank statements, and return on the 26th of June.”
Kganyago also explained that the State intends providing extensive disclosure material to all 17 accused.
“There are 17 accused in this matter, therefore there will probably be more than one USB provided because of the amount of information involved.”
He further confirmed that the State supports keeping Matlala in Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility for easier access during ongoing consultations.
Moving him from Kokstad.
“It is in our interest that he stays here because we need to conduct a second phase of consultations and we need him closer so we can consult with him anytime we need to.”
Masemola and his co-accused are expected to return to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 26 June as investigations continue.
