South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed the country's top policeman on precautionary suspension after he was charged in court on Tuesday.
Gen Fannie Masemola, 62, is alleged to have failed in his oversight duties in connection with the awarding of a controversial $21 million (£15.5 million) health contract, which has become the subject of a criminal investigation and has since been cancelled.
He has been charged with violating part of South Africa's Public Finance Management Act, which governs how taxpayers' money is spent.
Masemola told journalists after Tuesday's hearing that he denied the charges. I know that I'm not guilty, I'm not wrong, but the [law] must take its course, he said.
He is the third South Africa police chief to face a criminal investigation while in office.
Ramaphosa stated that the decision to suspend Masemola was made due to the seriousness of these charges and the critical role that the national commissioner of police plays in leading the fight against crime. Masemola will be suspended until the court case is concluded.
The announcement was made during a press briefing in Pretoria, where Masemola's replacement, Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane, was present.
Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of having law enforcement agencies that are capable, ethical and effective and that earn the confidence of the South African people.
Masemola's case relates to a tender awarded in 2024 to Vusimuzi Cat Matlala's company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, to provide health services to the police. The contract was cancelled in May 2025, leading to the charging of several senior police officers regarding their involvement.
These officials have been accused of colluding with Matlala, who faces charges of corruption. Masemola has not been charged with corruption but faces four counts of breaching public finance regulations.
The allegations surrounding the health contract surfaced during an inquiry known as the Madlanga Commission, established last September by Ramaphosa to investigate corruption within the police force.
