BREAKING | Fannie Masemola cleared of charges over R360m SAPS tender

The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has formally withdrawn the charges against Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola in connection with the R360 million SAPS health tender awarded to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who has been accused in a separate murder case.

Masemola was charged with four counts of contravening Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), relating to his responsibilities as an accounting officer.

The case arose from a police healthcare procurement process involving Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.

The broader procurement was valued at about R360 million, while the contract at the centre of the court proceedings was put at R228 million.

Investigators found irregularities in the procurement process, with at least R50 million paid before SAPS cancelled the contract in May 2025.

Masemola was suspended after allegations that he failed to exercise adequate oversight over the tender. However, the charges did not allege that he personally committed fraud or corruption.

The NPA review has now concluded that the evidence does not meet the threshold required for a successful prosecution.

Mothibi invoked Section 179(5)(c) of the Constitution, read with Section 22(2)(b) of the NPA Act, to direct that the charges be withdrawn.

“The NDPP is satisfied that there are no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution against the National Commissioner on the PFMA charges,” the NPA said.

The decision marks a significant turn in a case that placed scrutiny on SAPS procurement and Masemola’s oversight responsibilities.

Mothibi said continuing with a prosecution without sufficient evidence would not serve the public interest.

“Enrolling a case for prosecution where evidence is not sufficient to sustain a successful prosecution is not in the public interest,” he said.