By Mapaballo Borotho

- The National Prosecuting Authority has withdrawn corruption-related charges against suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola over a R360 million SAPS health tender.
- The charges related to his alleged failure to fulfil his responsibilities as an accounting officer when the tender involving Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company was awarded.
- The NPA says the evidence did not meet the threshold required for a successful prosecution.
The suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has been officially cleared of corruption charges related to the R360 million SAPS health tender previously awarded to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Masemola was charged with four counts of contravening Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act, relating to his responsibilities as an accounting officer when the tender was awarded to Matlala’s company.
The corruption allegations against Masemola stem 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.
The charges did not allege that Masemola personally committed fraud or corruption.
President Cyril Ramaphosa subsequently suspended Masemola following allegations that he failed to exercise adequate oversight over the tender.
The NPA review has now concluded that the evidence does not meet the threshold required for a successful prosecution.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Andy 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invoked Section 179(5)(c) of the Constitution, read with Section 22(2)(b) of the NPA Act, to direct that the charges be withdrawn.
Mothibi said continuing with a prosecution without sufficient evidence would not serve the public interest.
The decision marks a significant turn in a case that placed scrutiny on SAPS procurement and Masemola’s oversight responsibilities.
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