South Africa’s police chief. General Fannie Masemola. 62, has been charged with failing to provide proper oversight in his role following a health contract that has become the subject of a criminal investigation, according to the BBC. The case centers on a $21m (£15.5m) tender awarded to a company owned by controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala in 2024; the contract was meant to provide health services to the police but was cancelled in May 2025.

Charges Under Public Finance Management Act

Masemola has been charged with violating part of South Africa’s Public Finance Management Act, which governs how public finances are managed. The case comes as part of a national inquiry into alleged widespread corruption involving police officers and politicians. The charges fall under section 38 of the law, which outlines the responsibilities of accounting officers.

Masemola, who serves as the police’s accounting officer, has been accused of failing in his duties. He faces four counts of breaching the public finances act. The charges were made public after a court hearing in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where Masemola was summoned to appear.

Denial of Charges by Police Chief

Following the hearing, Masemola told journalists that he denied the charges. ‘I know that I’m not guilty, I’m not wrong, but the [law] must take its course,’ he said after his brief appearance at the court. Masemola was not asked to enter a plea during the hearing and remains the only one not charged with corruption in the case.

The tender was awarded to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, in 2024. The contract was meant to provide health services to the police force, but it was cancelled a year later in May 2025. Since then, a dozen senior police officers have been formally charged over their role in the awarding of the contract.

Broader Inquiry Into Police Corruption

The allegations surrounding how Matlala secured the contract were raised during the Madlanga Commission, an inquiry set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa last September to investigate corruption within the police force. The inquiry has become a focal point for uncovering systemic issues in the South African police department.

Masemola is the third police chief to face a criminal investigation while in office. Jackie Selebi, the country’s longest-serving police boss, was sentenced in 2010 to 15 years in prison after being convicted of taking bribes from an Italian drug lord, Glen Agliotti, in exchange for turning a blind eye to his criminal activity.

In 2017, Khomotso Phahlane was charged with corruption. Those charges were withdrawn the next year, but he was again arrested on similar charges in 2019, which he denies. The case is still in court. Masemola’s case has been postponed until 13 May when he will join the 16 others, including senior police officers and Matlala, in the case.

The controversy surrounding the health contract has sparked significant public interest and has added to the scrutiny of the South African police force. Matlala, who has also been charged with corruption, is facing similar legal actions in connection with the case.

As the investigation continues, the role of the police chief in the management of public funds remains under close examination. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of accountability within the police force and the challenges of managing public resources in a transparent manner.