The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said the arrests of 12 South African Police Service (Saps) officers, linked to a R360-million Medicare24 tender, must lead to successful prosecutions, asset recovery, and the permanent removal of corrupt elements from the State.

Twelve senior Saps officers and Medicare24 director Claudette Masethe on Wednesday appeared in the Pretoria magistrate court, following their arrests by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), linked to the awarding of a R360-million Medicare24 tender to a company linked to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. 

The officers, many of whom reportedly sat on the bid adjudication committee, stand accused of corruption, fraud, and violations of the Public Finance Management Act after allegedly facilitating an irregular contract intended to provide health services to over 180 000 police personnel.

The EFF said the arrests affirmed its long-held view that corruption in the Saps was not isolated, but part of an entrenched network of criminality in the highest levels of law enforcement.

“The testimony and evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission and the Ad Hoc Committee have already revealed a pattern of collusion, abuse of procurement systems, and the systematic looting of public resources by those entrusted with upholding the law,” the party said.

The EFF said while it welcomed the arrests as a necessary step towards accountability, it was cautious.

“Our experience in South Africa has shown that high-profile arrests are often used to create the illusion of justice, only for cases to collapse due to weak prosecutions, political interference, or deliberate delays.

“We have seen time and again how individuals implicated in serious corruption evade meaningful consequences, returning to positions of influence while the public is left without justice,” it stated.

The party said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) must ensure that this did not become one of those cases.

The EFF said the arrest of the officers should start the process to rid the Saps of corruption, warning that failure to do so would ensure that South Africa was fertile for criminal syndicates operating under the protection of political and institutional power.

“There are numerous senior police officials, many of whom have appeared before the Commission and Ad Hoc Committee, whose testimony has raised serious questions about their conduct, relationships, and role in enabling corruption. These individuals occupy powerful positions within the police service and cannot be shielded from scrutiny,” the party added.