National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola will appear alongside Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala and his co-accused in May.
South Africa’s most senior police official made his first appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Masemola is facing four counts of contravening the Public Finance Management Act in relation to a R360 million South African Police Service (Saps) health services tender.
The state requested that Masemola’s matter be added to the case involving Matlala and 12 co-accused.
The state prosecutor confirmed that the alleged offences did not constitute schedule five charges, with Masemola appearing via a summons served on 26 March.
The charge sheet in Matlala’s matter will be amended to reflect the addition of Masemola, with the matter to resume on 13 May.
‘I know that I am not guilty’
Speaking to the media at the court, Masemola was confident of his innocence and urged the South African Police Service’s member to be distracted.
“The police service must continue doing their work. As I said, it’s the beginning, we have discovered a lot of organised crime in the country.
“They must remain committed and do the work. Yes, I might be being dragged closer to serious criminals – which I don’t know them – but they must stay positive and serve the people pf South Africa.
“I know that I am not guilty, I am not wrong, but of course, the trial must still take its course,” said Masemola.
On the possibility of continuing in his role, Masemola refused to elaborate on what may have been discussed with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“I don’t want to discuss my discussion with the president in public, so leave it for him and me,” he stated.
This is a developing story
