Ramaphosa Suspends Police Chief Over Alleged $21m Fraud Scandal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on suspension after he was charged with violating financial regulations linked to a controversial healthcare contract.

The move, announced on Thursday, marks the latest controversy affecting the country’s police leadership and comes as Ramaphosa faces mounting pressure to tackle corruption ahead of local government elections scheduled for November.

According to Al Jazeera, Masemola is accused of breaching procurement laws in the awarding of a 360-million-rand ($21.7 million) contract for police health services to Medicare24, a company reportedly linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is suspected of ties to organized crime. The contract has since been terminated.

Prosecutors allege that Medicare24 collaborated with police officials to secure the deal and received over 50 million rand ($3.03 million) before its cancellation. Masemola appeared briefly in court on Tuesday, facing four counts under the Public Finance Act, but the case has been adjourned until May 13. He has denied all allegations.

Ramaphosa stated that the decision to suspend the police chief was made in light of the seriousness of the charges and the importance of the role. He noted that Masemola agreed to step aside on a precautionary basis pending the outcome of the legal process.

In the interim, the police’s chief financial officer, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has been appointed acting national commissioner, with the president praising her professionalism and integrity.

The suspension adds to a series of high-level shake-ups within the police force, with both the police minister and deputy commissioner also recently placed on leave. It follows revelations from a commission of inquiry into corruption and political interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system.

The growing list of scandals has further strained public confidence in the ruling coalition, with anti-corruption efforts expected to be a key issue for voters in the upcoming municipal elections.