The Net Tightens: State Moves to Lock Masemola into R360m Medicare24 Case as Financial Trail Widens

Suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, now accused number 17 in the R360m Medicare24 corruption case. The state says it’s awaiting his financial statements as the probe widens.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian  

13 May 2026, Pretoria Magistrate’s Court

PRETORIA – The state is no longer circling. It’s closing in. 

On Wednesday, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court gave prosecutors six more weeks to nail down the financial evidence against suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, now formally accused number 17 in the R360 million Medicare24 corruption case. 

This isn’t a procedural delay. It’s the point where the case against SAPS’s top cop stops being a possibility and starts becoming a charge sheet.

State prosecutor Santhos Manilal told the court that consultations with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, accused number one, produced new information that directly implicates Masemola. The state is now waiting on bank statements to corroborate that trail.

“Regarding the consultation with accused number one, the state confirms that those consultations did occur,” Manilal said. “However, as a result of new information emanating from those consultations, it necessitates verification and further investigation.”

Masemola, suspended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is accused of breaching the Public Finance Management Act in his role as SAPS chief accounting officer. He joins Matlala, 12 police officials and three company directors in a case built around a R360m contract awarded to Medicare24 for emergency medical services. 

The state says the financial investigation is at an “advanced stage.” The updated docket, with potential new charges, will be served on 26 June. 

“With regard to the addition of accused number 17, the state intends to recommend ratification of the preamble to reflect accused number 17’s involvement,” Manilal told the court.

For years, SAPS leadership has been untouchable. Masemola’s inclusion as accused number 17 signals that era is ending. If the bank records match the testimony, the man who ran SAPS finances will have to explain in court how R360m meant for emergency care ended up in a corruption probe.

SAPS CFO Puleng Dimpane is now acting national commissioner. The message is clear: the institution is being cleared out from the top down.

Matlala, who’s been held at Pollsmoor, will be moved to Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre closer to Pretoria. The magistrate said it was in the interest of justice and the smooth running of the trial.

This case is about more than one contract. It’s a test of whether the criminal justice system can reach into the highest office of the police and hold it accountable. 

The state says it needs six weeks. By 26 June, we’ll know if they have the evidence to make it stick. 

The public deserves an answer. R360 million isn’t missing. It’s somewhere. And if Masemola signed off on it, he needs to answer for it in court.