Four senior SAPS officials served suspension notices amid R360m health contract probe

Four senior South African Police Service (Saps) officials have been served with suspension notices as part of an expanding investigation into the irregular award of a police health management contract worth R360 million.

Who and what

The suspension notices follow internal charges alleging the officers breached adjudication committee processes, according to eNCA. The probe concerns the R360 million Saps health services tender that was awarded to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Contract and wider inquiries

The contract, awarded in 2024, has been central to proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and to a parliamentary ad hoc committee examining crime networks infiltrating the Saps and the criminal justice system. In November, Matlala explained how his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, received the R360 million contract.

Budget, red flags and arrests

While the contract was advertised at R360 million, R600 million was available in the Saps budget. Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, the Saps chief financial officer, told Parliament the contract was flagged as a possible irregular expenditure in the first week of March 2024 and was confirmed as irregular in May.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola also appeared in court in relation to the irregular contract. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) arrested Matlala and his co-accused on charges of corruption, fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act tied to the irregular awarding of the R360 million contract.

Next steps

The suspension notices and internal charges form part of ongoing investigations into the tender award and related allegations. This is a developing story.