South African prosecutors have withdrawn criminal charges against suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Maselola. They say there is no chance of a successful prosecution.
Maselola, 62 was charged this year for failing to give proper oversight of a disputed health services tender for the police. Maselola denied the allegations.
The contract, worth about $21 million was later cancelled after worries about how it was awarded. Several senior police officers were also charged for their alleged role in the tender.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi ordered the charges against Maselola to be withdrawn after looking at evidence from the Independent Directorate Against Corruption. Mothibi said continuing a case without evidence was not in the public interest. Prosecutors will also look at how the decision to prosecute Maselola was made and whether there was any wrongdoing in checking the evidence or using the law.
Maselola still has to go to court so that the withdrawal can be officially recorded. President Cyril Ramaphosa put Maselola on suspension while the criminal case was pending. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia welcomed the prosecutors decision. Said Maselola and President Ramaphosa will talk about next steps.
The presidency has not yet said whether Maselola will come back to his role. The allegations came out during the Madlanga Commission, which was set up to look at claims of corruption, in South Africa’s police service.
