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SAPS Legal Services Head Lt Gen Simo Chamane Suspended Amid Medicare24 Probe
The South African Police Service has suspended Lieutenant General (Advocate) Simo W. Chamane (left), Divisional Commissioner for Legal Services, following a forensic investigation into the Medicare24 procurement process and his alleged associations with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala (right).
Lt Gen Chamane, who previously served as Legal Advisor to former Police Minister Bheki Cele, is among several senior officers placed on suspension pending disciplinary and related investigations.
This latest action forms part of a wider SAPS response to irregularities surrounding the controversial R360 million Medicare24 tender, awarded for health services to police officers in the Tshwane District. Earlier this month, nine members of the Bid Evaluation Committee were suspended over the same matter, with additional senior officers, including other lieutenant generals, also placed on precautionary suspension in recent days.
SAPS has not yet released specific details of the allegations against Lt Gen Chamane. The affected officers remain on suspension with full pay while investigations continue.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police has welcomed the suspensions as a step toward greater accountability in the Medicare24 matter, which has drawn scrutiny over procurement processes and links to Matlala’s company. Further developments are expected as the forensic investigation progresses