In a dramatic turn in a high-stakes police corruption case, businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala has admitted to corruption, fraud and money-laundering as part of an agreement with state prosecutors over allegations that he bribed senior police figures to secure a lucrative government contract.
Prosecutors said Matlala was accused of paying off top police officials to win a R360 million tender in 2024 for his health company, Medicare24. Under the deal, which still requires approval by the court, Matlala would receive an eight-year prison sentence and be positioned to testify against senior officials implicated in the matter.
Matlala also faces a separate murder charge, which he denies. His name has surfaced beyond the tender case as well: a witness at the corruption inquiry known as the Madlanga Commission identified him as part of a drug-trafficking cartel alleged to have penetrated the police.
State prosecutors said Matlala’s cooperation could bolster wider corruption investigations. The Democratic Alliance, however, criticised the proposed agreement, arguing it amounts to undue leniency.
