The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has officially confirmed that Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane is not currently under criminal investigation. The clarification follows a formal complaint lodged by Public Interest SA on 9 July 2026, which alleged potential breaches of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) during Dimpane’s tenure as South African Police Service (SAPS) Chief Financial Officer.
Investigation Status And Procedural Referrals
The Hawks stated that the complaint received from the organisation does not constitute the formal registration of a criminal case or the initiation of an investigative process by their office. Instead, the directorate has referred the document to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) for further assessment.
The directorate says the complaint it received has been referred to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption and does not amount to the opening of a criminal case.
Background And Public Interest Concerns
The complaint centres on the controversial R360 million Medicare24 contract, a deal in which approximately R48 million was paid out to the service provider before its eventual cancellation. While Public Interest SA argues that Dimpane should be held accountable for her oversight role regarding these payments, SAPS spokesperson Atlender Mate previously indicated that an internal forensic probe had already cleared her of wrongdoing.
At the outset, let me emphasise that today’s action is not a finding of guilt. Public Interest SA has neither the mandate nor the authority to determine criminal liability.
The broader context involves ongoing scrutiny into the department, with sixteen individuals already under watch regarding mismanagement within the service. It remains to be seen whether the IDAC will initiate a formal investigation into the allegations following the referral from the Hawks.