South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola after he was charged with violating finance laws in the awarding of a healthcare contract. The suspension comes as Ramaphosa faces increasing pressure to crack down on corruption ahead of local elections in November.

The police minister, national commissioner, and his deputy have all now been suspended or placed on leave, a rare concentration of upheaval at the top of the force.

Masemola is accused of flouting procurement laws in awarding a 360-million-rand ($21.7m) police tender for health services to Medicare24, a company run by businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is suspected of links to organized crime. The contract has since been cancelled.

Prosecutors allege Medicare24 colluded with police officials to secure the tender. Matlala received just over 50 million rand ($3.03m) before the contract was cancelled.

Masemola briefly appeared in court on Tuesday to face four counts of violating the Public Finance Act, but the case was postponed to May 13. He has denied the accusations.

“In consideration of the seriousness of these charges and the critical role that the national commissioner of police plays, … I have agreed with General Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case,” Ramaphosa told journalists.

The police’s chief financial officer, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, will serve as acting commissioner, Ramaphosa said, describing her as having a “reputation for professionalism and integrity”.

Masemola’s suspension follows wide-ranging allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system revealed by a commission of inquiry appointed by Ramaphosa last year. The commission was set up in July after a senior police official alleged corruption and political interference had compromised criminal investigations.

Source: www.aljazeera.com