Pretoria – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against 12 senior officers who appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud and corruption linked to the alleged irregular awarding of a R360-million tender for health services.
The officers are accused of assisting alleged underworld crime boss Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala in securing the contract for his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District (Pty) Ltd, to provide health services to the police service.
SAPS confirmed that five of the 12 officers have been served with notices of intention to suspend them. According to a SAPS spokesperson from the Human Resource Management division, the developments are unfortunate but necessary, emphasizing that “no one is above the law.”
“We need to respect the processes. We need to respect the work that the Investigating Directorate is doing,” the spokesperson said. “Internally as the South African Police Service we follow our disciplinary processes. We have issued the five officials with notices of intended suspension. They have been given an opportunity to submit their representations and their representations will be considered and a decision will be taken.”
The spokesperson assured the public that the necessary disciplinary processes will be undertaken fully.
The 12 officers, who hold ranks from captain to brigadier (including one retired brigadier), appeared in court last week alongside Matlala and his business associate James Murray. The case against them has been postponed to 13 May for further investigation. They were granted bail ranging from R40,000 to R80,000.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has also been served with a notice to appear in court on 21 April in connection with the matter. A SAPS spokesperson stated that the National Commissioner “will respect the processes and will appear in court on the 21st of April.”
In response to questions, General Masemola said: “I’ve done my work. I had done what you were supposed to do but I think it’s not an area that one would like to venture into.”
The arrests and charges form part of broader controversies surrounding the SAPS, including testimony at the Madlanga Commission that has implicated some members of the service. SAPS leadership described the developments as disappointing but necessary to restore public trust, while reaffirming its commitment to accountability and reform.
Analysts have warned that the removal of senior commissioned officers could impact policing operations. One analyst noted that the affected individuals are not rank-and-file members but commissioned officers from captain upwards. “The rank and file police constables, warrant officers… they are the ones who go around short of police vehicles to do their job. So you find that they are short of the tools of trade because of austerity [and] cost containment,” the analyst said.
The tender in question was awarded in 2024 but has since come under intense scrutiny for alleged irregularities.
SAPS has stressed that internal processes will continue alongside the criminal proceedings to ensure accountability at all levels. The case continues to draw attention amid ongoing efforts to address corruption within the police service.
