JOHANNESBURG - National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola insists he is not corrupt.
The country’s top cop is under scrutiny for allegedly failing to act in his capacity as SAPS accounting officer in the awarding of a controversial tender.
Masemola, however, maintains that he fulfilled his responsibilities by cancelling the R360-million tender awarded to a company linked to Vusimuzi Matlala.
"I think I did what I was supposed to do. I stopped the contract, so I don't know why I should be here," he said.
"All I can say is that I don't think one should have been here today. We should be fighting organised crime as a group, as a joint force. But, well, things do happen. EMI on PFMA, so it's one of those things."
Masemola appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Tuesday.
This comes after he was summoned in March in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
The charges were brought by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
Masemola’s summons relates to a tender awarded to Medicare24, a company owned by Matlala.
READ: 'A test for institutional integrity', says Mathe as Masemola in court
Auditors flagged irregularities, poor performance, and potential unlawful procurement in the health services contract, which was later cancelled.
A subsequent probe was then instituted. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has clarified that Masemola is not facing corruption charges.
Clampdown on organised crime
Masemola says significant work is underway to clamp down on organised crime.
“There is still a lot that we are going to expose,” he said.
He declined to comment on whether there has been any pushback following revelations made at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliament’s ad hoc committee.
Masemola is expected to appear alongside Matlala and 12 other officials on 13 May, a development he says concerns him.
“I am here on a PFMA matter and he is appearing on corruption charges. I don’t understand why I should appear with him,” said Masemola.
State confident in case
IDAC spokesperson Kaiser Kganyago says the state is confident in its case.
“We would not have come to this point if we did not believe we have a watertight case,” he said.
There have been allegations that the case against Masemola is driven by factions within the police who want him removed. Kganyago has urged anyone with evidence to come forward.
READ: Masemola in court over controversial R360m SAPS tender
“We are not aware of any such allegations,” he said. “If anyone has information that points to that, they must come forward.”
Kganyago added that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been clear it will not protect wrongdoing.
What is the PFMA?
The Public Finance Management Act regulates financial management in the national government. It ensures that all revenue, expenditure, assets, and liabilities are managed efficiently and effectively.
It also outlines the responsibilities of an accounting officer, who must ensure that all necessary steps are taken to manage public funds appropriately.
In terms of Chapter 5 of the PFMA, the accounting officer is the head of an institution. In the case of the SAPS, this role is held by Masemola.
He is responsible for ensuring that tenders are properly vetted and that public funds are accounted for. IDAC’s case against him is based on the fact that he was the final signatory on the tender.