NPA orders lifestyle audits and will review all IDAC cases after Masemola charges withdrawn

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has launched a broad review of cases handled by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and ordered lifestyle audits of investigators, prosecutors and senior NPA management following leadership changes at the authority.

Review of IDAC matters, including Medicare24

The NPA confirmed it will review all matters before IDAC, including the Medicare24 case, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with prosecutions. The review will assess whether prosecutions can continue based on the evidence available.

Lifestyle audits and the SIU

NPA head Andy Mothibi has ordered lifestyle audits as part of what the authority describes as an integrity drive. NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said Mothibi requested the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to conduct lifestyle audits on 29 management and executive committee members when he assumed office in February 2026.

Kganyago said audits will continue for IDAC members but will exclude former IDAC head Andrea Johnson, who has resigned.

Process guided by law

Kganyago said the review and audits will be guided strictly by evidence and the law. He was quoted saying:

“As far as we are concerned, all the other remaining people are going to continue with this matter, with the evidence before us. If we find that there is not enough evidence against someone, we will not be shy to withdraw those charges. But if there is prima facie evidence, you will have to go through the court system and ultimately clear yourself.”

He emphasised the review had been initiated internally and was not triggered by external legal submissions. He also said the lifestyle audits are central to IDAC’s “reset” and cover prosecutors, investigators, and NPA management.

Charges against National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola withdrawn

On 22 September, charges against National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola linked to the South African Police Service (Saps)-Medicare24 tender were formally withdrawn and he was free to go. Masemola had been suspended after being accused of failing to provide oversight in the health contract awarded to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Masemola had faced four charges for violation of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) in connection with a tender awarded to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.

Masemola’s response and next steps

Following the withdrawal of charges, Masemola spoke to the media and described his five-month experience as “a very painful road” that tested his resilience and family. He said:

“If the president calls me tomorrow, I’ll be at the office, energetic to go back.”

The NPA said it will wait for the oversight judge’s findings before deciding whether Masemola is owed an apology. The authority has not yet determined whether any misconduct was deliberate; once that is determined, it will consider the appropriate response.

What remains under review

The NPA confirmed that all IDAC matters will be reviewed to determine whether prosecutions can proceed. Lifestyle audits conducted by the SIU are already under way for selected senior management and will continue for IDAC personnel, excluding Andrea Johnson because of her resignation.