Police chief Masemola faces criminal charges

South Africa’s police chief faces prosecution over his alleged role in a R360 million health-services tender scandal, escalating scrutiny of the country’s top law-enforcement office.

Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola is expected to appear in court next month alongside at least a dozen co-accused, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said in an interview with Johannesburg-based broadcaster eNCA on Wednesday.

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“I can confirm that National Commissioner General Masemola has this afternoon been served with a notice to appear in court,” she said.

“General Masemola remains fully committed to upholding the rule of law and has pledged his full cooperation.”

The announcement came after 12 police officials and businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala appeared in court in a case linked to the awarding of the health-services contract.

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Matlala is facing charges of attempted murder and money laundering in a separate case. He has been implicated by multiple witnesses in an ongoing judicial inquiry into alleged corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

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Masemola is expected to make his first court appearance on 21 April.

“These arrests send a clear and necessary message that no individual, including those entrusted with enforcing the law, is above scrutiny or beyond the reach of law enforcement,” deputy government spokesperson William Baloyi said in a statement.

President Cyril Ramaphosa in July suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, appointed a temporary replacement and set up a commission to probe explosive accusations that he sabotaged an investigation into political assassinations.

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The inquiry was in response to pressure for action after the claims earlier in the month hardened concern that the nation – which suffers from chronic crime – has yet to root out the graft that flourished during former president Jacob Zuma’s nine-year rule. Ramaphosa succeeded Zuma as president in 2018.

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Ramaphosa “will be addressing the matter concerning General Masemola in accordance with the law” his office said in a statement.

“The president, working together with the minister of police, is committed to ensuring that the SAPS remains stable and able to continue fulfilling its policing mandate.”

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