By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Andy Mothibi has appointed a panel, to review the case against Fannie Masemola and 15 other police officers.
Masemola faces charges of breaching the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and the other officers have been charged with fraud and corruption.
The contract, awarded in 2024, to the underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, 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 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.
At the centre of the State’s case is the allegation that several SAPS officials helped Medicare 24 overcome hurdles that should have prevented it from securing the tender.
The State alleges that some of the officials either overlooked important issues or misrepresented information during the procurement process, ultimately benefiting Matlala and his company
Masemola and co-accused returned to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 28 August 2026.
During the proceedings, defence lawyers confirmed that the state had disclosed the contents of the docket late last month.
Masemola’s legal representative also indicated that the team had approached the office of NDPP directly in an effort to have the prosecution against him reconsidered by submitting representations earlier this month.
“I have submitted our representations on the 7th of August directly to the National Director of Public Prosecutions.”
“We would be delighted, your worship, if we can get an outcome of our representations before our next appearance,” his lawyer told the court.
The development follows Mothibi’s indication that the charges against the suspended commissioner were already under review amid concerns about how the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) handled the investigation.
State prosecutor Santhos Manilall told the court that the NDPP had authorised a case assessment panel to conduct a comprehensive review of the SAPS-Medicare24 tender matter.
Manilall revealed that the panel comprises at least seven senior officials from the NPA and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), who have already started assessing the case.
“I cannot give you a date when they will be complete with the assessment, [but] they understand the urgency of this matter,” he said, adding that the panel is expected to submit its report to Mothibi ahead of the next court appearance.
Meanwhile Matlala and EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 28 August 2026.
The matter relates to the blue lights fitted to 2 BMWs, a Mercedes-Benz and a Volkswagen belonging to Matlala.
The court postponed the matter to 14 September 2026 for the bail ruling. While Medicare24 matter returns to court on 11 September for trial, with the State expected to apply to reinstate Matlala as accused number one to face trial with the rest of the group.