Cyril Ramaphosa breaks silence on General Fannie Masemola; SA questions his continued suspension

President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed the National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension after his appearance at the Pretoria magistrate court on charges of contravening the public finance management act.

In consideration of the seriousness of these charges and the critical role that the national commissioner of police plays in leading the fight against crime, I have agreed with General Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case.

Masemola was accused of negligence as the police’s chief financial officer in allowing the irregular awarding of a R360 million contract to Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s medical service company, Medicare24.

Masemola has been jointly charged in the state’s case against Matlala, 12 police officials and three company directors due in court on 13 May.