South Africa’s top police officer Fanny Masemola has been suspended by the president after being accused of breaking finance laws.
johannesburg– JOHANNESBURG (AP) – South Africa’s top police officers Was suspended by the President on Thursday after being accused of breaking finance laws related to Allegedly corrupt police contracts.
Fanny Masemola appeared in court on Tuesday and was due to return with 12 other senior police officers Suspicion of fraud, corruption and money laundering In relation to a contract that was allegedly awarded illegally to a local company. The charges against Masemola relate to his responsibilities as the accounts officer of the police service.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said at a press conference on Thursday that he had appointed Puleng Dimpane, the commissioner of financial management services in the police service, as acting police commissioner while Masemola stands trial.
Ramaphosa said, “I agree with General Masemola that he should be considered on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case.”
His suspension follows widespread allegations of corruption in the country’s criminal justice system, which emerged in a commission of inquiry appointed by Ramaphosa last year.
Masemola faces four charges of violating the Public Finance Management Act, a law that regulates the awarding of contracts worth more than 360 million-rand ($21 million) to provide health and welfare services to police officers. It is alleged that some police officers took bribes from the winning bidders.
