Masemola Charged Under Finance Act, Not Corruption’Serious Enough,’ Says Cachalia

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 not with corruption.

Cachalia said he will meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the matter amid a looming crisis within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Masemola remains in office as national commissioner pending Ramaphosa’s response to the charges.

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 added that 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 legislationthe Public Finance Management Actis serious enough.”

The Summons

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 said Masemola is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 21 April.

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the summons relates to the Medicare 24 procurement tender. She said Masemola was served on Wednesday and will comply with the legal process.

“General Masemola welcomes any investigation or due process that seeks to address allegations of wrongdoing,” she said.

The Broader Investigation

Ramaphosa also acknowledged the broader arrests of 12 senior police officers linked to the same procurement matter.

Those detained include:

• Brigadier Rachel Matjeng

• General Temba

• Brigadier Kistey Jonker

• Brigadier Ofentse Tlhoaele

They face allegations including fraud, money laundering, and violations of the PFMA.

In a related development, former senior officer Brigadier Petunia Lenono has also been arrested. Lenono resigned weeks before the controversial tender was awardeda timing now under scrutiny.

The Central Figure

At the centre of the scandal is businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala , whose links to the multimillion-rand contract have triggered a wide-ranging investigation into alleged corruption and procurement irregularities within SAPS.

The Presidency’s Response

The Presidency said any action regarding Masemola will follow due legal process.

“The President, working with the Minister of Police, is committed to ensuring that SAPS remains stable and able to continue fulfilling its policing mandate.”

The Bottom Line

Masemola is chargedbut not with corruption. Others face corruption charges. He faces a PFMA violationserious enough, says the acting minister.

The national commissioner remains in office. The investigation continues. And the court date is 21 April.

{Source: IOL}

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