South Africa’s police commissioner has been placed on precautionary suspension, thrusting the country’s top law enforcement office into uncertainty as a corruption case unfolds in court.

National police commissioner Fannie Masemola was formally suspended by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, days after making a court appearance over allegations that he breached public finance regulations. The case centers on a police contract said to have been improperly awarded to a local company.

Masemola, who appeared in court on Tuesday, is expected back alongside 12 other senior officers accused of fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to the same deal. Prosecutors argue that his role as the police service’s accounting officer places him at the heart of the alleged financial misconduct.

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Announcing the decision, Ramaphosa confirmed that Puleng Dimpane, who oversees financial management services within the police, will step in as acting commissioner while the case unfolds.

“I have agreed with General Masemola that he be deemed to be on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the case,” Ramaphosa said.

The development adds to mounting scrutiny of South Africa’s criminal justice system, following revelations of systemic corruption uncovered by a commission of inquiry established by the president last year.

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Masemola is facing four counts under the Public Finance Management Act, which governs how state contracts are awarded. The charges stem from a 360 million-rand ($21 million) agreement to deliver health and well-being services to police personnel. Investigators allege that some officers involved in the process accepted bribes from the successful bidders, the AP reported.