By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed the suspension of five additional senior officers in relation to matters arising from the Medicare 24 tender.
The suspended officers includes Leiutenant Generals (Dr) Molefe Fani (suspended on two matters), Lineo Nkhuoa, Nonkululeko Edith Mavundla and Major General Thokozani N Mathonsi.
The police officers are tied over their role to a controversial R360 million health services tender awarded to underworld kingpin Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s company Medicare 24 Tshwane District.
In a brief statement SAPS national spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said, the suspensions form part of matters arising from the Medicare 24 tender, which has come under scrutiny amid allegations of irregularities.
The latest suspensions bring the number of senior police officials implicated in the matter to 14, signalling an intensification of efforts by the police service to address concerns surrounding the tender process.
Mathe said internal departmental processes are currently underway and emphasised that SAPS would not provide further details at this stage.
“Internal departmental processes are currently underway, and in the interest of preserving the integrity of these processes, the SAPS will not provide further comment at this stage,” she said.
The contract, awarded in 2024, has been at the centre of proceedings of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and a parliamentary inquiry into crime networks infiltrating criminal justice system.
The contract was later cancelled in 2025 by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola after audits found it to be irregular.
Matlala is linked to, among others, the coordinated syndicates responsible for the looting of over R2 billion meant for healthcare in Gauteng, the attempted murder of his ex-lover and is believed to have played a role in the capture of some key members within law enforcement agencies.