JOHANNESBURG - Is Fannie Masemola still the country’s top cop? It seems so for now. But the National Police Commissioner is facing an uphill battle as calls mount for the President to suspend him.
Masemola is due to appear in court in April – facing charges related to violation of the Public Finance Management Act.
At the centre of it all – a controversial R360 million rand tender awarded to Vusimuzi Cat Matlala.
Masemola is a career police officer who first donned the blue uniform in 1987.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has charged Masemola for failing in his duties as the SAPS accounting officer. He was tasked to protect and account for its purse.
This past week, the Pretoria Magistrate’s court played home to a slew of men and women in blue – who allegedly turned a blind eye and or facilitated and secured a multimillion rand deal for a company owned by Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Those who take an oath to protect and serve, are now in the dock.
The R360 million SAPS tender was advertised on the 31st of January 2024. Twenty two bids were received.
The Bid Evaluation Committee prepared a report recommending the appointment of Medicare24 Tshwane District on the 29th of April 2024. Vusimuzi Cat Malala then benefits from this deal with money transferred on the 14th of June 2024.
SAPS Service's Section Head of Quality Management, Rachel Matjeng who oversaw the process then allegedly received a weight loss drug. It's cost ranges between R4,500 per unit.
She also allegedly received about R300,000 from Matlala.
Masemola only canceled the contract in May 2025 following a final audit report.
Then the arrests followed.
Twelve officers were nabbed and appeared in court on 25 March this year. Masemola was then summonsed to appear in court in April this year.