The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case involving suspended police commissioner Fannie Masemola and 17 others to June 26, 2026 for further investigations.
Image: Siyabulela Duda / GCIS
Suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola says he does not understand what is going on in the case against him and believes there may be a bigger reason behind the R228 million Medicare 24 Tshwane District tender matter.
Masemola and 17 co-accused, including businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for the first time on charges relating to the alleged irregular awarding of the contract.
They face four charges linked to alleged breaches of the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, money laundering, and other financial misconduct.
Matlala and several co-accused are accused in relation to the tender, which authorities say was irregularly awarded.
The suspended top cop faces charges under the Public Finance Management Act.
The matter was postponed to June 26, 2026 for further investigation.
The state is expected to disclose the docket to the accused and may amend the charge sheet following Masemola’s inclusion in the case.
Speaking outside court, Masemola said he had no clarity on the proceedings.
“I didn’t bring myself in, so I unfortunately don’t know what is happening. Probably somebody somewhere knows what is happening,” he told eNCA.
Asked about the impact of the case, he said, “I can’t say much more than that. It’s one of those things.”
He added, “I think there’s more to it. I don’t know what it is, but there’s more to it than just the rule of law.”
Masemola also suggested there may be broader interests at play beyond the South African Police Service (SAPS), saying, “I don’t think it will be SAPS alone. I think somewhere there is some greater motive.”
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Henry Mamothame, confirmed Masemola has been formally joined to the case alongside Matlala and 16 others.
Mamothame said consultations with Matlala have been completed, but new information emerging from those discussions has led to further investigation by the state.
He said the state has committed to disclosing the docket to the accused by next month and to updating the charge sheet accordingly.
Mamothame also confirmed that Matlala will remain at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility for continued consultations after a request by his legal team was granted.
Matlala had previously been held at the maximum-security eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad before being transferred in December.
The case relates to an alleged irregular R228 million contract awarded to Matlala’s company.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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