Masemola’s tenure in spotlight amid SAPS turmoil
JOHANNESBURG – The fate of National Commissioner Fannie Masemola hangs in the balance after his name surfaced in controversial R360 million health services tenders linked to alleged cartel boss Vusi “Cat” Matlala.
The tender awarded to a Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company attached to Matlala, has been flagged for allegations that it did not have adequate facilities, equipment, and staff to fulfill the tender, which was budgeted.
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It is also alleged that Matlala received a payment of just over R50 million before the unlawful contract was cancelled by SAPS.
To date, at least 12 high-ranking SAPS members, including a director at Medicare24 Tshwane District, have also been linked to the controversial tender and made an appearance before the court in Pretoria earlier this week.
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These developments have once again brought up concerns around corruption and organised crime in South Africa, further intensifying scrutiny over Masemola’s role and accountability as a top cop.
Professor Jacob Mofokeng from Unisa’s Department of Criminology and Security said this debate illustrates the tension between legal procedure and leadership.
On procedural law, Mofokeng speaks of Section 38 of South Africa’s Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which he says speaks of oversight failure rather than personal pocketing of corruption.
On the integrity side, it’s about collective morality and humanising the law.
He said:
“An African-centered approach will argue that at least a leader is a custodian of the community’s resources.”
Mofokeng further argued that if R360 million intended for health services was compromised under Masemola’s watch, the moral tear in the social fabric is too great for him to continue leading.
