The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has moved to correct media reports, confirming that Acting National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane is not under investigation.

The Hawks clarified on Tuesday that a criminal complaint lodged by Public Interest SA regarding alleged contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act has been referred to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, which is already handling a related matter.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the referral was made in accordance with established procedures to prevent duplication of investigations.

“The DPCI confirms that it is not investigating the Acting National Commissioner. The complaint received by the DPCI is linked to an existing matter that is currently handled by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption,” Mogale said.

She emphasised that referring the complaint did not amount to opening a criminal case or launching a formal investigation.

“The referral of the complaint does not constitute the registration of a criminal case or the initiation of a criminal investigation by the DPCI. It was merely referred to the IDAC because of the existing investigation,” Mogale said.

The complaint relates to alleged PFMA contraventions linked to the R360 million Medicare24 Tshwane contract. Public Interest SA alleged last week that Dimpane, who was SAPS chief financial officer at the time, may have failed to fulfil her statutory financial management responsibilities after approximately R48 million was paid to the service provider before an internal review into procurement concerns had been completed.

The complainant has been informed of the referral, and the Hawks said any enquiries regarding the processing of the complaint should be directed to IDAC.