Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia confirmed charges against General Fannie Masemola.
However, the charges relate to procurement laws, not corruption.
Masemola remains national commissioner while President Cyril Ramaphosa reviews the matter.
Meanwhile, Cachalia plans to meet Ramaphosa to discuss the situation.
“General Masemola has been charged. The charges are under Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act. This concerns the standards that an accounting officer must meet in dealing with procurement decisions,” Cachalia told eNCA.
He clarified that others face more serious allegations.
“As far as I understand, others have been charged with corruption. General Masemola has not been charged with corruption. However, being charged under procurement legislation – the Public Finance Management Act – is serious enough,” he said.
“Of course, a decision has to be made about how we should respond to the fact that he has been charged,” he said.
Court Appearance Linked to R360 Million Tender
Authorities served Masemola with a summons linked to a R360 million tender.
Consequently, he will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 21 April.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed the court date but withheld further details.
“That’s all we can say, because we can’t talk about the contents of the summons,” Kganyago said.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the summons relates to the Medicare 24 tender.
She added that Masemola will comply with the legal process.
Mathe also emphasised his commitment to accountability and due process.
“General Masemola welcomes any investigation or due process that seeks to address allegations of wrongdoing,” she said.
Senior Officers Arrested as Investigation Expands
Meanwhile, authorities arrested 12 senior police officers linked to the same tender.
Those arrested include Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, General Temba, Brigadier Kistey Jonker and Brigadier Ofentse Tlhoaele.
They face charges of fraud, money laundering and PFMA violations.
In addition, former officer Brigadier Petunia Lenono has been arrested.
She resigned shortly before the tender was awarded.
Investigators are also examining businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s role in the deal.
His links to the contract have triggered a wider corruption probe.
The Presidency stated that any action against Masemola will follow due process.
“The President, working with the Minister of Police, is committed to ensuring that SAPS remains stable and able to continue fulfilling its policing mandate,” the Presidency said.
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