Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has pleaded guilty to corruption, fraud and money laundering charges linked to the SAPS-Medicare24 tender case.
Matlala appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on Thursday, 25 June 2026, after his matter was separated from that of his co-accused a day earlier. The plea follows negotiations between his legal team and the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption.
Cat Matlala Pleads Guilty After Plea Deal
According to The Citizen, IDAC senior investigator Suneel Bellochun told the court that the agreement was reached on 22 June. Matlala confirmed the plea arrangement in court and is expected to be sentenced in line with the deal.
News24 also reported that Cat Matlala pleads guilty in relation to the SAPS tender matter. The report said the plea agreement was concluded under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The case centres on a health services contract linked to Medicare24 Tshwane District. The NPA has previously described the contract as being worth about R228 million, while the wider tender process has been reported as a R360 million SAPS health services tender.
SAPS-Medicare24 Tender Case Widens
Matlala was previously among 17 accused in the matter. The NPA said suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola faces four charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act and was expected to be joined with 16 others in the same matter.
The Citizen reported that investigators found the tender to be irregular. It also reported that at least R50 million had been paid out before the contract was cancelled in May 2025.
According to the state’s case, Medicare24 Holdings managing director James George Murray and Captain Brian Cartwright allegedly helped Matlala prepare the bid submission. Cartwright is also accused of helping draft bid evaluation committee minutes and submitting documents to the bid adjudication committee.
Alleged Payments And Money Flows
Investigators further allege that members of the bid evaluation committee, including police officers among the accused, failed to raise concerns during the process. Senior procurement officer Tumisho Nehemiah Maleka is accused of not properly scrutinising the submission before recommending it for approval.
The Citizen reported that Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who works in SAPS forensic services, is accused of helping implement the contract by facilitating purchase orders. She is also alleged to have received three payments of R300,000 between January and March 2025.
Authorities further allege that funds were laundered through financial movements involving Matlala, Medicare24 and Luxo Africa Brand Investments.
The Citizen previously reported that NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the split in the case was linked to court logistics and negotiations. He said prosecutors wanted the Matlala proceedings to move ahead without delay.