The cancellation of a R360-million health risk management contract linked to alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala delayed the planned intake of 5,500 police recruits after their mandatory medical assessments could not be completed, Police Portfolio Committee chairperson Ian Cameron said.
More than 6,100 applicants had already completed the preceding recruitment processes and were waiting for medical assessments when the contract was terminated.
“The termination of the health risk management contract actually stopped the planned intake of 5,500 new recruits because their mandatory medical assessments could not actually be completed,” Cameron said, speaking to Newzroom Afrika following a Police Portfolio Committee presentation by SAPS management on the impact of the terminated contract.
The planned February 2026 intake did not proceed, despite funding being available, he said.
Recruitment was subsequently moved to the 2026/27 financial year, with the intake increased to 11,000 recruits.
SAPS is now working with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to conduct the medical evaluations, said Cameron.
Contract disruption affects other police services
Cameron said the consequences of the cancelled contract extended beyond the delayed recruitment intake, affecting other police services where personnel also require medical assessments.
“I think first of all it’s important to say that it not only had an impact on recruitment, it’s got a broader impact on the other services that were meant to be provided,” he said.
Forensic technicians working in laboratories and police divers were among those affected.
“Remember the impact that this has had for example on forensic services. It means that there are quite a few of our forensic technicians that work in laboratories that haven’t had their medical examinations done. It speaks to police divers that haven’t had their medicals done and so the list goes on,” Cameron said.
The longer-term impact could also affect specialised units that were expected to receive some of the new recruits, including family violence, child protection and sexual offences units and the anti-gang unit.
Cameron compared the contract to the hull of a ship, saying it formed part of the foundation for the sustained development of SAPS and the delivery of police services.
SANDF brought in to conduct medical assessments
SAPS is now working with the SANDF to assist with the medical evaluations as the police service prepares for the increased intake of 11,000 recruits.
Cameron welcomed the assistance but raised concerns about the SANDF’s own capacity and resource constraints.
He said the next intake was expected to begin early in 2027, meaning the medical assessments would need to be conducted soon.
“I’m concerned on the one hand because although I’m grateful that the SANDF could possibly assist in just making sure things keep moving, the SANDF itself struggles with capacity and it struggles with resource allocation and its own sustainable development and now this may actually have a detrimental impact on them,” he said.
Cameron said the arrangement could also help with cost containment, although he said this would need to be assessed.
Cameron questions delay in stopping contract
Cameron questioned why it took months for the contract to be stopped after concerns had been raised.
He said testimony at the Madlanga Commission, as well as comments from SAPS supply chain management, indicated that National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola had flagged concerns that something was wrong with the contract and that it needed to be stopped.
“My problem is that it took a few months before it was actually stopped and in that time certain payments continued to be made,” Cameron said.
“In my opinion any payment should have been halted for the immediate effect and it shouldn’t have taken months and I think that’s where the frustration in terms of urgency comes in.”
Cameron said he believed the disruption could have been avoided if senior management had acted with greater urgency after the contract was cancelled.
Asked whether money already paid under the contract had been recovered, Cameron said it had not, to his understanding.
He said the urgency in dealing with the consequences appeared to have increased, but added: “The proof is in the pudding.”
Ad hoc report expected before October deadline
Cameron also said the Ad Hoc Committee was aiming to complete its report process, with the final report expected to be submitted to the Speaker of Parliament by the end of October.
The committee was hoping to complete its work soon enough to allow Parliament’s team time for final formulations and editing.
“I really hope so, that we have made significant progress in the last two, three weeks, and we actually are aiming to finish the report process tonight, and that would give us adequate time to allow the team from Parliament to do their final formulations, edits, etcetera,” he said.
Cameron said members were also dealing with other parliamentary responsibilities, including budget reviews and annual reports, but remained focused on completing the report to a high standard.
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