Public Interest SA has lodged a criminal complaint with the Hawks against SAPS acting commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, seeking an investigation into alleged PFMA violations linked to Medicare24
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Public Interest SA has lodged a criminal complaint with the Hawks against acting SAPS National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane over alleged contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) linked to the controversial R360 million Medicare24 Tshwane contract.
The organisation alleges that Dimpane, who was SAPS Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the time, may have failed to fulfil her statutory financial management responsibilities after approximately R48 million was paid to the service provider before an internal review into procurement concerns had been concluded.
The SAPS entered into the Medicare24 Tshwane agreement, valued at approximately R360 million, for employee medical health services. The contract was later cancelled after investigations into procurement irregularities.
Public Interest SA said its complaint was supported by documentary evidence, including Dimpane’s sworn testimony before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
During her appearance before the committee, Dimpane confirmed that, in her role as SAPS CFO, she was responsible for oversight of financial management, internal controls, internal audit, risk management, audit committee matters and combined assurance processes.
Public Interest SA said Dimpane testified that she became aware of concerns relating to the Medicare24 Tshwane contract after then suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu requested National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who has since been placed on precautionary suspension, to conduct an internal audit and risk management review.
The organisation said Dimpane was briefed by members of the review team while the audit was underway, but payments amounting to about R48 million were processed before the review had been completed.
Public Interest SA said these circumstances formed the basis of its request for the DPCI to investigate possible violations of the PFMA, including sections relating to financial management, delegated authority, internal controls, financial misconduct and criminal liability.
The organisation stressed that the complaint was not a finding of guilt and that it did not have the authority to determine whether criminal liability existed.
“This is not a decision taken lightly,” the organisation said.
“Public Interest SA has neither the mandate nor the authority to determine criminal liability. That responsibility rests exclusively with the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and, ultimately, our courts,” the organisation said.
It said its role was to provide evidence to the relevant authorities where there were reasonable grounds to suspect that criminal offences may have been committed.
The complaint comes amid ongoing criminal proceedings related to the Medicare24 contract, where 16 accused people are currently standing trial.
Those accused include 12 senior SAPS officers, including General Masemola, as well as two company directors.
Public Interest SA questioned why Dimpane had not been charged in those proceedings despite serving as SAPS CFO during the period in question and having statutory responsibilities relating to financial management, internal controls and risk management.
The organisation said it was not seeking to interfere with the existing criminal proceedings or make any determination on the guilt or innocence of those before the courts.
“Public Interest SA does not seek to interfere with those criminal proceedings, nor do we express any view regarding the guilt or innocence of any accused person currently before the courts,” it said.
Public Interest SA said the complaint was aimed at determining whether the role and responsibilities of the SAPS CFO at the time had received appropriate criminal scrutiny.
“Today's complaint requests the Hawks to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish criminal liability under the PFMA. It is not an attempt to duplicate the existing prosecution, but rather to address what appears to be a gap in accountability,” the organisation said.
The organisation said it had requested the DPCI to register and prioritise the complaint and obtain relevant financial records, system authorisation logs, internal audit reports and any additional evidence needed to determine whether offences had been committed.
Public Interest SA said the matter was about protecting public financial management within one of the country’s key constitutional institutions and ensuring that officials entrusted with public resources were held accountable.
“The greater the public office, the greater the responsibility. The greater the responsibility, the greater the accountability,” the organisation said.
Public Interest SA said it would cooperate with any investigation and would provide additional information should further evidence emerge.
“Today's complaint is therefore not about personalities. It is about ensuring that our public institutions operate with integrity, that public funds are protected, and that every public official is subject to the same legal standard,” the organisation said.
Meanwhile, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has rejected any suggestion that Dimpane had wrongdoing to answer for, saying a forensic investigation into the matter had not implicated her in any misconduct.
“The forensic investigation into the Medicare24 matter has not implicated Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane in any wrongdoing whatsoever,” Mathe said.
She said Dimpane had not served on any bid committees responsible for the procurement process and that Supply Chain Management did not report to her.
Mathe said SAPS procurement and payment processes were governed by established policies, with payment functions decentralised across the organisation.
She said cost centres responsible for receiving goods or services were tasked with verifying delivery, certifying invoices and processing payment documentation through the relevant stages of the payment process.
“Furthermore, the determination test conducted as part of the investigation identified no deficiencies or gaps in the internal controls governing the final phase of the payment process,” Mathe said.
She said the forensic investigation found no evidence of misconduct, negligence or a breach of duty by Dimpane.
Mathe said Dimpane acted decisively after becoming aware of concerns relating to Medicare24, ensuring that payments were stopped after the contract was cancelled and supporting the process that led to its termination.
“Lieutenant General Dimpane provided oversight, support, and continuous monitoring of the investigative processes that ultimately resulted in the termination of the contract. Her actions demonstrate a commitment to accountability, sound governance, and the protection of public funds,” Mathe said.
She said claims that Dimpane had failed in her responsibilities regarding the Medicare24 matter were not supported by the findings of the forensic investigation.
“Any suggestion that Lieutenant General Dimpane was involved in or failed in her responsibilities regarding the Medicare24 matter is without factual basis and is not supported by the findings of the forensic investigation,” Mathe said.
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