South African anti-corruption authorities have arrested 12 senior police officers over allegations of fraud and corruption linked to a multimillion-rand contract, prosecutors confirmed on Wednesday. The officers appeared before a court in Pretoria alongside Vusimuzi Matlala, the owner of Medicare24, the company at the centre of the investigation. A 13th suspect, a company director, was also arrested.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the case involves an allegedly irregular contract to provide health and wellness services to police personnel. Prosecutors say some of the officers were members of the bid evaluation committee and should have disqualified the company during the procurement process. Matlala, who is suspected of links to organised crime, is already being held in a maximum-security prison on separate attempted murder charges.
The arrests come amid broader investigations into corruption within the South African Police Service. President Cyril Ramaphosa previously ordered an inquiry into alleged high-level misconduct and suspended the police minister last year. A separate parliamentary inquiry is also examining claims that senior police officials maintained corrupt relationships with crime figures, including allegations of receiving payments in exchange for favours. All 12 officers have filed affidavits supporting their bail applications, with prosecutors indicating they will not oppose bail at this stage. The case is expected to continue as authorities deepen efforts to address corruption within the police force.
