South Africa prosecutors drop case against suspended police chief

What the report says

South African prosecutors have dropped criminal charges against suspended national police chief General Fannie Masemola after concluding there was not enough evidence to support a conviction, according to BBC Africa. Masemola had been accused of failing to properly oversee a controversial health tender linked to a criminal investigation. He denied the allegations when they were filed in April.

The case centered on a $21m health contract awarded to provide services for the police, which was later cancelled. Prosecutors said a review of evidence collected by the Independent Directorate Against Corruption showed there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution. National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi ordered the charges withdrawn and said proceeding without sufficient evidence would not be in the public interest.

Masemola remains suspended for now and must still appear in court so the withdrawal can be formalized. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia welcomed the decision, and the presidency has not yet announced whether Masemola will return to office. BBC Africa also noted that prosecutors plan to examine whether the original decision to charge him involved any misconduct or legal error.

The matter is part of a wider corruption inquiry into policing in South Africa, where allegations of misconduct among senior officers have drawn significant public attention.