Members of Parliament’s Police Ad Hoc Committee have moved to clarify suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s role in the controversial Medicare24 tender, saying there was no evidence that he was involved in awarding the contract.
The committee resumed deliberations on its draft report on Tuesday, with members arguing that Mchunu should not be implicated in the procurement process involving Medicare24, a company linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Several committee members instead highlighted Mchunu’s intervention after concerns emerged over the contract. They said the minister instructed that further payments be stopped, with some MPs describing the intervention as appropriate action once irregularities were identified.
The Medicare24 contract, valued at about R360 million, was awarded by the South African Police Service for employee health-risk management services. It was subsequently cancelled after concerns were raised about the procurement process. Parliamentary evidence shows that Mchunu raised concerns about the contract in December 2024 and requested a review, after which an internal audit was initiated.
The committee’s deliberations have nevertheless exposed differences among political parties over how Mchunu’s broader links to Matlala and other individuals should be reflected in the final report. Some MPs have argued that the available evidence does not establish a corrupt relationship, while others have called for institutional concerns surrounding access and influence to remain part of the findings.
The committee is expected to continue refining its draft report before it is formally presented to Parliament.
The findings concern the evidence considered by the committee and do not constitute a criminal court determination.