The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the suspension of five additional senior officers as investigations and internal disciplinary processes linked to the controversial Medicare 24 tender continue to unfold.
Last week, nine police officers were suspended over their alleged role in helping secure a controversial R360m contract for Medicare24, a company linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
In a brief statement issued on Monday, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspensions form part of matters arising from the Medicare 24 tender, which has come under scrutiny amid allegations of irregularities.
The latest suspensions bring the number of senior police officials implicated in the matter to 14, signalling an intensification of efforts by the police service to address concerns surrounding the tender process.
Mathe said internal departmental processes are currently underway and emphasised that SAPS would not provide further details at this stage.
“Internal departmental processes are currently underway, and in the interest of preserving the integrity of these processes, the SAPS will not provide further comment at this stage,” she said.
The police service has not disclosed the identities of the suspended officers, the specific allegations they face, or the nature of their alleged involvement in the Medicare 24 tender.
The contract was initially budgeted at about R360m and ultimately awarded for about R228m.
It was meant to provide medical screenings, wellness checks, illness assessments, pre-employment medical examinations, and injury-on-duty assessments over a three-year period.
In March this year, Matlala, 12 senior police officers, a company director, and two companies were arrested.
They subsequently appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges including fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
Those charged included a major general, several brigadiers, and colonels who were serving members of the SAPS at the time of their arrest.
The arrests were carried out by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
IDAC is a specialist unit within the National Prosecuting Authority that investigates serious corruption involving state institutions.
It is the state’s case that the tender process was irregular from the outset.
It said SAPS advertised the tender on January 31, 2024, with a closing date of February 19, less than the minimum 21-day advertising period required by National Treasury regulations.
The charge sheet further alleged the tender was not urgent and that no approval had been obtained to shorten the advertising period.
Investigators also claimed that, though 22 companies submitted bids, Medicare24 did not meet the requirements of an acceptable tender under procurement laws and should not have been considered.
Despite this, the company was awarded the contract.
The state alleged police officials unlawfully colluded with Matlala and his company throughout the procurement process, resulting in the contract being awarded to Medicare24.
The police officers and other accused arrested in the case are currently out on bail of between R40,000 and R80,000.
Matlala remains behind bars after he was denied bail in a separate matter.
