Madlanga Commission Hears Claims Fannie Masemola Was Targeted in Medicare24 Probe

• State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy told the Madlanga Commission that investigators were directed to search Matlala's devices for links to Masemola
• Ramsamy testified that IDAC prosecutors had found no evidence connecting the suspended police commissioner to the Medicare24 matter
• The commission adjourned to allow Witness P to testify behind closed doors about an alleged counter-intelligence operation
• Following the revelations at the commission, Forum for South Africa called fo the immediate reinstatement of Masemola

SOUTH AFRICA — The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard explosive testimony alleging that suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola was deliberately targeted during investigations into the Medicare24 tender scandal, despite no evidence linking him to the case.

State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy testified before the commission that investigators were instructed to comb through the electronic devices of Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, an accused in an attempted murder matter, specifically to uncover any possible connections to Masemola and members of his family.

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No evidence against Masemola

Ramsamy told the commission that prosecutors from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) had not identified Masemola as a suspect, nor had they found any indication that he was linked to Matlala during the course of the investigation. She described the instructions as deeply troubling, saying they left her uneasy and created the impression that the commissioner had become a deliberate target.

"It was clear, at least to me, that General Masemola was a target and the rules would be broken to catch him by any means necessary. All the instructions given by Advocate Johnson on that day did not sit well with me," Ramsamy testified.

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Witness P to testify behind closed doors

Following Ramsamy's testimony, the commission adjourned proceedings to accommodate a witness identified only as Witness P, who will give evidence in a closed session. Witness P is expected to shed light on the alleged discovery of a clandestine counter-intelligence operation with reported links to a Durban-based drug gang.

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The Madlanga Commission was established to probe allegations of corruption, criminality and misconduct within South Africa's law enforcement structures.

In a statement shared with Briefly News, Forum4SA spokesperson Tebogo Mashilopane called for the disbandment of IPID, alleging that the institution had attempted to manipulate law enforcement agencies for personal, political or factional interests.

Mashilopane said the organisation had lost public trust. Forum4SA also called for an investigation into the current acting police commissioner, saying her role in the K a Matlala tender matter had “raised questions.”

IDAC head set up Masemola to lie to Parliament

Briefly News also reported that a witness at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry testified that former Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson instructed her team to conceal an active investigation from National Police Commissioner-General Fannie Masemola, then allow him to appear before Parliament uninformed. According to Ramsamy, Johnson stated that Masemola was due to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Policing and that the team should "let him lie at the Portfolio Committee."

Source: Briefly News