Authorities in South Africa have detained 12 high-ranking police officers over suspected corruption and fraud, according to prosecutors on Wednesday. The suspects later appeared before a court in the capital, Pretoria.
A court order has also been issued for National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to appear next month as part of investigations into a controversial contract for police health and wellness services. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed this during proceedings involving the other accused officers.
The arrests come amid an ongoing probe into alleged corruption at senior levels within the police service. The investigation was initiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who previously suspended the police minister. Meanwhile, a separate parliamentary inquiry is examining claims that top officers had improper links with suspected criminal figures and may have received payments in exchange for favors.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s anti-corruption unit, the case against the 12 officers is tied to a questionable contract for providing wellness services to police personnel. Officials added that a 13th suspect, a company director, has also been taken into custody.
The accused officers appeared in court alongside Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, the head of Medicare24, the firm awarded the disputed contract. He is believed to have connections to organized crime.
Matlala is currently being held in a maximum-security facility on separate attempted murder charges. All 12 officers have filed affidavits to support their bail requests, and prosecutors informed the Pretoria Magistrates Court that they would not oppose bail.
Some of the arrested officers were members of the committee responsible for assessing and awarding the contract. Prosecutors argued in court that the company involved should have been disqualified during the evaluation process.