“South Africa’s security cluster faces an unprecedented crisis of integrity as three of the country’s top police officials are now embroiled in allegations of corruption and links to the criminal underworld.”

“National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola was served with a summons to appear in court next month regarding a multimillion-rand SAPS contract awarded to a firm linked to attempted murder and corruption accused Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.”

“Police minister Senzo Mchunu has been suspended after allegations of interfering in ongoing investigations.”

“One of Masemola’s deputies, Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, has also been suspended for his alleged involvement with Matlala and Katiso 'KT' Molefe, a suspected underworld kingpin.”

“The awarding of the R360m tender also led to the arrest of 11 senior police officers on Tuesday.”

“James Murray, a service provider, and Tumisho Maleka, a procurement officer, have also been arrested.”

“Matlala also appeared in court on Wednesday and was the only accused denied bail.”

“Masemola is expected to be formally charged and will have the dubious distinction of being the third incumbent head of the police force to face criminal proceedings, joining the late Jackie Selebi and Khomotso Phahlane.”

“Selebi was accused of accepting bribes and gifts from gangsters in exchange for providing information about police investigations and preferential police treatment.”

“Phahlane and his wife were arrested and appeared in court on what he said were trumped-up corruption charges.”

“Shibiri faces an investigation by the police task team after receiving money from Matlala which heสำเร็:”

“He was appointed to the role in March 2022 on the recommendation of a panel chaired by former safety and security minister Sydney Mufamadi.”

“The mooted charges against Masemola place Ramaphosa in a politically delicate position that may ultimately force him to dismiss the country’s top police officer.”

“Masemola has thus far presented himself as being part of a small clique pushing against the criminal elements in the ranks of the police, alongside the likes of Mkhwanazi.”

“The commission recently indicated Mkhwanazi would return to respond to allegations he also met Matlala and offered to halt investigations against him in exchange for information about now-suspended Sibiya.”

“Masemola serves as the designated accounting officer of the police in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, being responsible for managing the department’s budget and financial matters.”

“Cele has also been linked to Matlala, who claims he showered the former police minister with wads of cash, an allegation that Cele has denied.”

“Mchunu has been on special leave since July 13 after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused him of interfering in police operations and protecting criminal syndicates.”

“A key witness, Sgt Fannie Nkosi, had only linked him to Matlala, and he had mainly faced scrutiny on weak oversight in the police.”

“The head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, Lt-Gen Lesetja Senona, is also under suspicion over links to Matlala.”

“SAPS national commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola says a budget of R5m has been allocated for two months for a newly established special task team to probe police officers implicated at the Madlanga commission of inquiry.”

“Masemola’s summons has come as a shock because no direct criminal allegation was levelled against him at the inquiry regarding the tender.”

“The allegations prompted Ramaphosa to establish a judicial inquiry chaired by erstwhile Constitutional Court justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.”

“Masemola has previously told Business Day the claim is false. 'No, I have never met the man [Matlala]. I do not know the man. I have never met him. Unless maybe I met him in the streets and he greeted me. It is false. That is false and a lie,' he said.”

“The probe into the Matlala contract has exposed how senior police officials were close to individuals who face criminal charges.”