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Matlala rejoins main Medicare24 corruption case

todaySeptember 25, 2026 8

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Alleged underworld kingpin, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, his two companies and 13 co-accused are set to appear together in the main Medicare24 corruption case before the Pretoria Regional Court.

The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court has postponed the matter to 29 September, when Matlala is expected to rejoin his co-accused.

The accused face charges linked to the alleged irregular awarding of a R228 million South African Police Service (SAPS) health services contract to Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company owned by Matlala.

The tender has become one of the country’s highest-profile corruption cases, with allegations involving senior police officials in the awarding of the lucrative contract.

The matter has also featured prominently in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating alleged criminality and political interference within law enforcement.

In July, Matlala entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the State, accepting an eight-year prison sentence in exchange for becoming a state witness. However, the deal collapsed after the court indicated that it was prepared to impose a 12-year sentence instead.

Earlier this week, the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court formally withdrew all four Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) charges against suspended National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, who had also been implicated in the case.

The NPA said a review found there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.

The withdrawal of the charges however does not automatically lift Masemola’s precautionary suspension, which remains a separate matter.

The Activists and Citizens Forum has since called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to hold those it says subjected Masemola and his family to “pain and trauma” accountable, while also demanding his reinstatement as National Police Commissioner.

Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza

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