Fannie Masemola appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Wednesday alongside alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi Matlala and several other accused persons in a corruption-related case involving a multimillion-dollar police contract.
Masemola, who is currently suspended from office, faces four charges linked to alleged violations of the Public Finance Management Act.
The charges relate to a contract worth nearly $14 million awarded in 2024 to Matlala’s company, Medicare24.
The contract was intended to provide healthcare services to the police but was reportedly cancelled a year later.
More than a dozen other accused individuals are facing charges including corruption, fraud and money laundering connected to the same case.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecutors informed the court that investigators had obtained new evidence and required at least six weeks to complete verification processes.
The court subsequently postponed the matter until June 26 to allow for further financial investigations, evidence verification and disclosure of the case docket.
Masemola was allowed to remain on bail pending the next hearing.
Speaking outside the courtroom after the proceedings, the suspended police chief maintained his innocence and claimed there was a “greater motive” behind the prosecution.
The allegations surrounding the controversial tender first emerged during an ongoing national inquiry established by Cyril Ramaphosa in September last year to investigate widespread corruption within the South African police service.
The inquiry forms part of broader efforts by the South African government to address corruption and restore public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
