South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension after he was charged in court for allegedly failing to oversee a controversial $21 million health contract.
The 62-year-old police chief faces four counts of violating the Public Finance Management Act in connection with a tender awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company owned by businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. The contract, intended to provide health services to the police force, was cancelled in May 2025, a year after it was awarded, and has since become the subject of a criminal investigation.
Masemola appeared in court on Tuesday and denied the charges. "I know that I'm not guilty, I'm not wrong, but the law must take its course," he told journalists after the hearing.
Ramaphosa announced the suspension at a press briefing in Pretoria, emphasizing the need for law enforcement agencies to be "capable, ethical and effective" and to enjoy public confidence. The president appointed Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, the police service's chief financial officer since 2018, as acting commissioner. However, her appointment has drawn scrutiny because she oversaw police finances during the period when the alleged corruption occurred. Dimpane has previously denied any involvement.
Masemola is the third South African police chief to face a criminal investigation while in office. The allegations against him emerged from the Madlanga Commission, an inquiry set up by Ramaphosa last September to probe corruption in the police force. To date, a dozen senior police officers have been charged over their roles in awarding the contract, along with Matlala, who faces corruption charges. None have entered pleas yet.