South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted the precautionary suspension of National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, clearing the way for him to resume his duties on 19 October after corruption-related charges against him were withdrawn.
The Presidency announced on Friday that the suspension, imposed in April following Masemola’s court appearance on allegations of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), had been lifted after prosecutors dropped the case against him.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions instructed on 15 September that the charges be withdrawn, and the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court formally withdrew them on 22 September. Prosecutors said a review had found insufficient evidence to support a successful prosecution.
Masemola’s suspension stemmed from a high-profile scandal involving the awarding of a police health and wellness services contract to Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company linked to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Investigators had alleged that procurement irregularities occurred in the awarding of the contract, which became the subject of a wider corruption probe.
The police chief faced four PFMA-related charges in his capacity as accounting officer of the South African Police Service.
The allegations centred on his oversight responsibilities in relation to procurement processes and compliance with financial management regulations.
According to media reports, the contract was initially advertised at R360 million while payments amounting to more than R50 million had already been made before it was cancelled following an internal audit that reportedly uncovered irregularities.
JN/APA