South African tender boss pleads guilty, may testify against officials
Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala admitted fraud, corruption and money laundering in Pretoria and may turn state's witness against officials in a R228 million SAPS case.
Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala pleaded guilty in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday to fraud, corruption and money laundering after striking a plea and sentencing deal with the state. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption brokered the agreement under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The case centers on a South African Police Service health services tender awarded to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District. The National Prosecuting Authority has put the value of the contract at R228 million, while other accounts place it at about R360 million. State papers allege police officials steered the award toward Matlala and Medicare24 even though the company lacked the facilities, equipment and staff needed to deliver the contract.
Court proceedings also laid out a more specific allegation of cash moving through the network: Matlala paid R300,000 to a police officer, identified in court material as Rachel Matjeng.
Suspended National Police Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola is among the accused linked to the matter and has denied wrongdoing. The case involves 16 other accused, and Matlala’s trial was separated earlier this week from theirs. If the agreement is accepted by the court, Matlala could face an effective eight-year prison term.
He also has a separate legal battle: on September 8, 2025, he appeared at Alexandra Magistrates Court in an unrelated attempted murder and conspiracy-to-commit-murder case involving his socialite girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane.
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