Pretoria, South Africa – Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia has confirmed that National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has been charged under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), but clarified that the charges are not related to corruption.
Cachalia stated that he will meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the matter, amidst growing concerns within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Masemola remains in his position as national commissioner pending Ramaphosa’s response to the charges.
“General Masemola has been charged. The charges are under Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act. This concerns the standards that an accounting officer must meet in dealing with procurement decisions,” Cachalia told eNCA.
He further explained that while others implicated in the matter face more serious allegations, "As far as I understand, others have been charged with corruption. General Masemola has not been charged with corruption. However, being charged under procurement legislation – the Public Finance Management Act – is serious enough."
Cachalia confirmed that Masemola is still serving as national commissioner, but acknowledged that "Of course, a decision has to be made about how we should respond to the fact that he has been charged."
On Wednesday, IOL News reported that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and SAPS confirmed Masemola had been served with a summons to appear in court in connection with a R360 million tender. Ramaphosa has formally acknowledged the development.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago stated that Masemola is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 21 April, but declined to provide further details, stating, “That’s all we can say, because we can’t talk about the contents of the summons.”
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the summons relates to the Medicare 24 procurement tender. She said Masemola was served on Wednesday and will comply with the legal process.
Mathe stated that the national commissioner remains committed to the rule of law and will cooperate fully. “General Masemola welcomes any investigation or due process that seeks to address allegations of wrongdoing,” she said.
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