Health/ South Africa’s top Police official charged over canceled $21m health tender
General Fannie Masemola, the police chief of South Africa, has been formally charged with violating the Public Finance Management Act for failing to oversee a controversial $21 million health contract now under criminal investigation.
Masemola, 62, appeared briefly in the Court of the Pretoria Magistrate, where he denied wrongdoing. “I know I’m not guilty,” he told journalists. “But the law must take its course.”
The tender, awarded to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company in 2024, was meant to provide health services to police but was cancelled last May.
A dozen senior officers have since been charged over the deal. Matlala faces corruption charges.
Masemola faces four counts of breaching his duties as the police’s accounting officer.
He is the third police chief to face a criminal probe while in office. His predecessor Jackie Selebi was sentenced to 15 years for bribery in 2010.
The case was postponed until May 13, when Masemola will appear alongside 16 other accused.
