Fannie Masemola will be on “precautionary suspension” pending the conclusion of the case against him, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced
South Africa’s national police commissioner, Fannie Masemola, has been suspended following allegations of corruption linked to a 360 million-rand ($21 million) contract for health and wellness services, the presidency confirmed on Thursday.
Masemola appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, facing four counts of violating the Public Finance Management Act. Prosecutors allege that the contract was awarded unlawfully, with some police officers receiving bribes from the winning bidders.
The charges against Masemola stem from his role as the accounting officer for the police service.
He has denied the accusations but has yet to enter a plea. Businessman Vusimuzi Matlala, whose company Medicare24 secured the controversial contract, has yet to enter his plea along with 15 others accused of corruption, fraud, and money laundering. The case has been postponed until May 13.
In a statement on Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he has decided to place Masemola on “precautionary suspension” pending the conclusion of the case.
The decision is necessary “in consideration of the seriousness of these charges and the critical role of the National Commissioner in leading the fight against crime,” Ramaphosa stated.
The president announced the appointment of Puleng Dimpane as acting national commissioner. Dimpane has been serving as the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) divisional commissioner for financial management services.
The suspension comes amid growing concerns over corruption within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies. Last year, Ramaphosa took similar actions against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu following allegations that he had conspired with a criminal network and interfered with investigations into political assassinations.
Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on immediate leave and set up the Madlanga Commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations, which were brought forward by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
On Thursday, the president said both the Zondo state-capture inquiry, which investigated widespread corruption involving the government and private sector from 2018 to 2022, and the ongoing Madlanga commission, have identified procurement as a major source of abuse of office within the police service.
He said the newly appointed acting National Commissioner is expected to urgently address weaknesses in police procurement and “sustain the momentum” of Pretoria’s “fight against crime and corruption.”
