Nine police officers suspended over Medicare 24 tender probe

Nine South African Police Service (Saps) officers who served on the Bid Evaluation Committee in the Medicare 24 tender process have been suspended pending disciplinary and related investigations.

Suspensions and official comment

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the nine members were placed on suspension this week while investigations continue.

“The Saps remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency and ethical conduct in all its operations. As the matter is subject to ongoing processes, the Saps will not comment further at this stage,” Mathe said.

Court process and bail

The suspended officers are due to return to the Pretoria Magistrates Court on 26 June with their co-accused as part of an ongoing fraud case. They are currently out on bail of between R40 000 and R80 000.

Background: the Medicare 24 contract

The contract at the centre of the probe was awarded in 2024 to Medicare24 Tshwane District. The award has featured in proceedings before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and a parliamentary inquiry into crime networks infiltrating the South African Police Service and the criminal justice system.

In an appearance last November, murder-accused tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala explained how his company was awarded the R360 million Saps health services contract. While the contract was advertised for R360 million, R600 million was available in the Saps budget.

Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, the Saps chief financial officer, told Parliament’s ad hoc committee the contract was flagged as possible irregular expenditure in the first week of March 2024 and was confirmed as irregular in May. The amount disclosed as irregular expenditure was R466 million.

Related arrests and investigations

In March, at least 12 high-ranking police officers and a company director were arrested in connection with the award of the R360 million tender to Matlala’s company. The group was handcuffed by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) in a series of raids on Tuesday night.

The idea for Medicare24 Tshwane District was said to have come through Mike van Wyk, who lives on the same estate as Matlala.

Ongoing accountability process

The Saps has emphasised its commitment to integrity as disciplinary and related investigations continue. Further comment has been withheld while those processes are underway.