By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Pretoria Magistrates Court has postponed the fraud and corruption case of suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and 12 senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officers.
Masemola and others police officers appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 26 June 2026.
Their appearance comes a day after Underworld Kingpin Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala was separated from the case after pleading guilty and agreeing to turn state witness.
In the plea that is yet to be ratified by the court, Matlala deposed an affidavit providing details of the criminal conduct of some of the accused officers linked to the Medicare24 Tshwane tender.
The accused face charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act.
The State told the Court that the tender was unlawfully advertised for less than the required 21-day period without the necessary approval or any emergency to justify the deviation, rendering the procurement process unlawful.
The prosecutors said, as a result of Matlala’s proceedings yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to all charges, agreed to turn state witness and expose other high profile SAPS officials, there might also be additional accused added, that is why it has not finalized the charge sheet.
“The process that will unfold … is that the state has canvassed with my learned friends. The state has indicated to them that the state would require approximately two weeks to copy all of this information. That would take us to mid July, which is about the 15th of July, 2026.”
“The legal representatives have indicated that they have a record of those dates.”
The magistrate postponed the matter to 28 August for the finalisation of disclosure.
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the move, which could also see the current accused in the matter facing additional charges, hinges on the ratification of the plea deal Matlala made with the State.
Mamothane said the current charge sheet may still be amended following the outcome of proceedings at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.