South Africa’s Police Chief Faces Corruption Charges Over Health Contract

General Fannie Masemola, 62, the head of South Africa’s police force, has been formally indicted under the Public Finance Management Act for alleged negligence in overseeing a $21 million health tender. The contract, awarded to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company Medicare24 Tshwane District in 2024, was canceled in May 2025 after scrutiny revealed potential misconduct. Masemola’s case, now set for May 13, will see him join 16 others, including senior officers and Matlala, in court proceedings.

The charges stem from section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act, which holds accounting officers accountable for financial oversight. Masemola, as the police’s accounting officer, is accused of failing to ensure proper accountability during the contract’s awarding. A dozen senior police officers have already been formally charged for their alleged role in the deal, with Matlala also facing corruption accusations. None of the officers have yet entered pleas, but Masemola remains the sole individual not charged with corruption.

“I know that I’m not guilty, I’m not wrong, but the [law] must take its course,” Masemola stated after his brief appearance at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

The allegations emerged from the Madlanga Commission, an inquiry launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September 2024 to investigate corruption within the police force. This case marks Masemola as the third police chief to face criminal charges during his tenure. Previous incidents include Jackie Selebi, who was imprisoned for 15 years in 2010 after accepting bribes from an Italian drug lord. Khomotso Phahlane, another former chief, was charged in 2017, though those accusations were later withdrawn, only to resurface in 2019 when he was arrested again.

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