President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the "preventive suspension" of the national police chief, Fannie Masemola, who was implicated in a corruption scandal. He has been replaced by an acting police chief.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday suspended the national police chief implicated in a $20 million public procurement scandal in the health sector. The case, which involves other national police officers, has rocked the country.
The Minister of Police, the National Commissioner, and his deputy have all been suspended or placed on leave. This is the first time a scandal of this magnitude has involved law enforcement.
This case adds to a series of corruption scandals that have eroded public confidence in South Africa's ruling coalition, ahead of local elections where its handling of corruption could influence voters' opinions.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola is accused of violating public procurement laws in connection with a now-cancelled police tender for health services. The contract had been awarded to businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is suspected of having ties to organized crime.
"Given the seriousness of these allegations and the crucial role played by the National Police Commissioner (...) I have agreed with General Masemola that he will be considered suspended as a precautionary measure until the conclusion of the case ," Ramaphosa told reporters.
Police finance director Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane will serve as interim chief, Ramaphosa said, describing him as having a "reputation for professionalism and integrity".
A thorough review of the cases of senior police officials is currently underway, Ramaphosa said.
"This control system constitutes an important process of restructuring and reconstruction," he said.
For several days, critics have been pressuring Ramaphosa to suspend Masemola. The country's second-largest party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to assess "his fitness to perform his duties."
"These serious allegations require a full and rigorous investigation so that accountability is not delayed, watered down or quietly evaded ," the DA said Thursday.
Masemola made a brief court appearance on Tuesday to answer to four charges of violating public finance laws, but the case was adjourned until May 13. He denied the charges.
Prosecutors indicated that he would be tried jointly with 16 other suspects, including Matlala.
Public hearings
The controversial health contract was awarded in June 2024 to Medicare24, a company owned by Matlala, who is locally described as a "tenderpreneur" – a term for people who have amassed fortunes through government contracts.
Matlala found himself in the spotlight after a regional police chief accused law enforcement and the South African Minister of Police of engaging in criminal activities.
These allegations led to the dismissal of the minister and the establishment of an official commission of inquiry by the president, transforming this affair into a genuine national scandal.
Broadcast daily on television and radio, the Madlanga Commission hearings were closely followed by South Africans.
A separate parliamentary inquiry is also examining allegations that senior officers had links in corruption cases with organized crime leaders and accepted money in exchange for favors.
Matlala was arrested in May of last year in connection with the attempted assassination of his ex-partner Tebogo Thobejane in 2023.
His name had already been mentioned in a scandal in which more than 2.2 billion rand (129 million dollars) were allegedly embezzled.
The Tembisa hospital case claimed the life of whistleblower Babita Deokaran in 2021. She was shot nine times in front of her home.
