PRETORIA – ‘A defining moment’.
That is how national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe has described the court appearance of her boss National Commissioner Fannie Masemola.
Masemola is appearing at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
He will face charges related to violating the Public Finance Management Act.
At the centre of it all is a controversial R360-million tender awarded to Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
READ | Masemola in court over controversial R360m SAPS tender
Speaking to media ahead of Masemola’s appearance, Mathe said it was a moment of “truth and test” for the South African Police Service.
“This is a defining moment for the organisation as a whole. It is a moment of truth. It is a test for our institutional integrity,” Mathe said.
“It is a test on our commitment to accountability and the rule of law. As an organisation we have always stood for the principal that no one is above the law.”
She said this was not a time for the SAPS to be defensive.
“It is a time for honesty, for us to introspect and to have a perspective of forward looking. It is a time for renewal.
“We need to accept where there are challenges and where systems are weak. We need to accept that public trust has eroded and that there is a need to rebuild.”
Mathe said the unfolding judicial process was indicative of the country’s democratic processes working well.
“We have full confidence in the judiciary and we are hoping this process will uncover the truth in relation to this tender. All indications are that Cat Matlala shouldn’t have been awarded that tender.”
READ | Masemola accused of protecting corrupt officers, interfering in investigations
She said there was no indication yet that Masemola would step aside from his role.
“We haven’t had that conversation but it is also not up to him. It is the prerogative of the president in consultation with the police minister,” she added.