PRETORIA - "There was no intention to embarrass Masemola."
That was an assertion made by former head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Advocate Andrea Johnson.
Testifying at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, the focus was on the circumstances of the arrest of suspended National Police Commission Fannie Masemola and the IDAC's mandate to bring charges against him.
Masemola was summoned in March to appear before court on charges relating to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
READ: I am sure there's something more to this, says Masemola outside court
The charges were brought by IDAC and related to a tender awarded to Medicare24, a company owned by alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. Auditors flagged irregularities, poor performance, and potential unlawful procurement in the health services contract, which was later cancelled.
After his appearance at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court, Masemola said he believed his summons was not above board. He said significant work is underway to clamp down on organised crime.
At the time, IDAC spokesperson Kaiser Kganyago said the state had a watertight case against Masemola.
On Wednesday, Commissioners poked holes in the so-called "water-tight" case. Chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga wanted to know of IDAC's mandate to arrest Masemola and on what charges. Emphasising that the PFMA does not warrant the treatment he was subjected to.
Johnson explained that the Medicare24 matter was a high-profile matter where several people had been arrested in relation to the fraudulent awarding of the tender to Matlala.
READ: UPDATE: Case against Fannie Masemola, co-accused cops postponed
"The involvement of Commissioner Masemola is in relation to the serious high-profile or complex corruption, commercial or financial crimes as related to the PFMA," she explained.
When the unlawful nature of the contract was brought to Masemola, as the accounting officer, Johnson says he did not act 'promptly.' She conceded that Masemola did, upon the audit report, stop the contract from paying out any more monies to Medicare24.
Johnson, however, told the Commission, he could have acted sooner.
"We never said he was party to the corruption," she said. Johnson also conceded that IDAC might have gone above board with the arrest regarding the PFMA.
The humiliating nature of Masemola's matter also came to light, with Commissioners highlighting that his court appearance makes Masemola appear to be corrupt.
READ: Masemola pushes back on PFMA charges, questions court appearance
"I accept that this matter should be separated," she told the Commission.
"But at no stage, I understand the optics thereof, but there was never the intention to embarrass him," she added.