The South African Police Service (SAPS) has suspended nine police officers who served on the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) responsible for assessing bids linked to the controversial Medicare24 tender, marking the latest development in a corruption scandal that has rocked the country’s law enforcement leadership.
In a brief statement issued on Friday, SAPS confirmed that the officers had been placed on suspension pending the outcome of disciplinary and related investigations.
“The affected members have been placed on suspension pending the finalisation of disciplinary and related investigations. The SAPS remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency and ethical conduct in all its operations,” said SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
The police service declined to provide further details, citing ongoing internal processes.
The suspensions come as investigations into the Medicare24 contract continue to intensify. The tender, awarded in 2024 to Medicare24 Tshwane District, was intended to provide health and wellness services to approximately 180,000 SAPS employees across the country. However, the contract was later cancelled amid allegations of irregular procurement processes and corruption.
The scandal has already resulted in the arrest and prosecution of several senior police officials and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, whose company secured the lucrative contract. According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), a number of senior officers were arrested in March in connection with the allegedly irregular awarding of the tender. Investigators have alleged that members of the Bid Evaluation Committee played a central role in recommending the contract for approval.
Court documents and testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry have linked the tender to alleged breaches of procurement regulations and the Public Finance Management Act. Several accused officers, including senior-ranking generals, are facing charges ranging from fraud and corruption to money laundering-related offences.
The controversy has also reached the highest levels of the police service. Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension after he was charged in relation to the tender. Prosecutors allege that Masemola failed to exercise proper financial oversight during the procurement process. He has denied wrongdoing and pledged to cooperate with the legal process.
In recent weeks, the SAPS has expanded its internal disciplinary action. Four senior officers were reportedly served with suspension notices as part of a broader investigation into procurement irregularities linked to the Medicare24 contract. Those officials were accused of violating bid adjudication procedures during the tender process.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police has welcomed the arrests and disciplinary action, arguing that accountability within the police service is essential to restoring public trust. The committee has also expressed support for investigations targeting senior procurement officials involved in the awarding of the contract.
The Medicare24 saga has become one of the most significant corruption investigations involving SAPS in recent years, raising concerns about procurement oversight within the organisation. Reports indicate that investigators are examining how the company secured the contract despite alleged concerns about its capacity and compatibility with SAPS systems.
Friday’s announcement suggests that disciplinary processes within SAPS are continuing alongside criminal investigations being pursued by law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.
While the suspended officers have not yet been found guilty of any misconduct, the latest action signals that SAPS is moving to hold officials accountable as investigations into the multimillion-rand Medicare24 tender continue.
The matter is expected to remain under close scrutiny as court proceedings and internal disciplinary hearings unfold in the coming months.
