South Africa prosecutors drop case against suspended police chief

Share Save Add as preferred on Google Nobuhle Simelane , Johannesburg and Wycliffe Muia AFP via Getty Images Fannie Masemola will still have to appear in court for the charges to be formally withdrawn South African prosecutors have dropped criminal charges against the country's suspended police chief after concluding there was insufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

General Fannie Masemola was charged in April with failing in his duties to provide proper oversight in his role following a health contract that became the subject of a criminal investigation. He denied the charges.

President Cyril Ramaphosa subsequently placed him on precautionary suspension while the criminal case was underway.

Following a review of the case, state prosecutors said on Tuesday they were satisfied there were "no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution" against Masemola.