Businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala Rejoins 13 Co-Accused in Court After Collapsed Plea Deal in R228m Medicare 24 Fraud Case
Alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is to rejoin 13 other accused in the Pretoria Regional Court in connection with the multimillion-rand Medicare 24 tender fraud and corruption case.
Matlala’s case was previously separated from his co-accused after he entered into negotiations with the state for a plea and sentence agreement under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. However, those negotiations subsequently collapsed, forcing his matter to be transferred back to the main trial.
The deal fell apart after the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court rejected the proposed sentence as too lenient.
While Matlala’s legal team had negotiated an eight-year prison term, the court recommended a 12-year direct imprisonment sentence, prompting Matlala to withdraw his guilty plea and opt for a full trial instead.
The charges stem from the allegedly irregular awarding of a South African Police Service (SAPS) health and wellness services contract to Matlala’s company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District, valued at approximately R228 million.
The state alleges that senior police officials and company directors flouted procurement regulations and manipulated the tender process to benefit Matlala.
Matlala’s upcoming court appearance follows a major development in the case: the formal withdrawal of criminal charges against suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. Masemola had faced four charges under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) for an alleged lack of oversight regarding the contract.
However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) reviewed the evidence and ordered the withdrawal of all charges against Masemola, concluding that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.
With Masemola cleared, the focus shifts back to the remaining 14 accused, including Matlala, who face various counts of fraud, corruption, and money laundering as the state prepares an indictment to move the matter to the High Court.
