Controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has admitted to paying a senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officer R300,000 to influence the awarding of a lucrative police tender, marking a major development in the high-profile corruption case.
Matlala entered guilty pleas to charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday as part of a plea agreement with the State.
The charges stem from the controversial R228 million SAPS health services tender awarded to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane.
He is expected to return to court next Wednesday for sentencing proceedings, where the court will consider a proposed 15-year prison sentence, suspended for seven years, in accordance with the plea agreement.
As part of his formal admissions, Matlala acknowledged paying R300,000 to SAPS Brigadier Rachel Matjeng in exchange for her influence over the tender process.
His admission directly contradicts evidence previously given by Matjeng before the Madlanga Commission, where she denied that the money she received from Matlala constituted a bribe linked to the police contract.
While Matjeng admitted receiving money from the businessman, she maintained that the payments were gifts exchanged during what she described as a romantic relationship.
She also testified that Matlala had purchased various gifts for her, including Ozempic, a GLP-1 medication commonly used for weight loss, which costs approximately R4,500 per unit.
The tender at the centre of the case was later cancelled following allegations of irregularities, although more than R50 million had already been paid to the company before the contract was terminated.
Matlala’s guilty plea forms part of a wider corruption investigation that has implicated several senior police officials and exposed alleged irregularities in the procurement process.
As part of his plea agreement, Matlala has undertaken to cooperate fully with prosecutors and testify against other accused individuals involved in the matter.
His evidence is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the State’s case against several high-ranking figures as authorities continue investigating allegations of corruption and undue influence within the SAPS.
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