Matlala turns state witness in Medicare24 corruption case

Alleged underworld kingpin, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, has turned state witness in the controversial Medicare24 SAPS tender corruption case.

Matlala appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering.

The court heard that, as part of his plea agreement, Matlala has implicated several high-ranking officials in the corruption scandal and is expected to testify against his co-accused in the multi-million rand scandal.

The State and defence have agreed to a 15-year prison sentence, with seven years suspended, leaving an effective eight-year jail terms. This is, however, subject to the magistrate’s agreement to the proposed sentence.

It is alleged that Matlala benefited about R228 million from a R360 million SAPS tender, which was allegedly warded unlawfully.

The alleged cartel member and two co-accused will be tried separately from the remaining 12 accused. Those facing charges include suspended National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, Matlala’s companies Medicare24 Tshwane and Luxo Africa Brand,  his self-proclaimed girlfriend, Rachel Matjeng, his business associate James Murray, and 11 police officials.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, says the current trial is solely on the Medicare24 and not on the other charges that Matlala faces.

“I need to emphasise that whatever agreement we have now has nothing to do with the other cases that he might have. You must remember by the time he was charged on this matter,  which was in March, and he was already in prison for other matters.”

The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court is expected to deliver judgment next Wednesday on whether to accept the plea and sentence agreement reached between the State and Matlala.

Matlala is also among several accused facing charges related to the attempted murder of actress and media personality, Tebogo Thobejane.

The charges stem from a 2023 shooting in Sandton, Johannesburg, in which Thobejane survived an apparent assassination attempt.

Cat Matlala being told to plead guilty to take down Mkhwanazi, Masemola & Khumalo, what a gamble… They’re down bad!

— MORAL Authority (@lavidaNOTA) June 25, 2026

Vusi Cat Matlala has just pleaded guilty to fraud and corruption charges and has also turned State witness….

General Shadrack Sibiya: pic.twitter.com/6Lq5YSLyG8

— Diego (@woza_diego) June 25, 2026

I think Cat Matlala is taking the fall for the team. The NPA risks being left with an egg of the face when he screws up as a witness @CKkwena_2010 @john_skimo

— Tony Mudau (@NewMufariwapiki) June 25, 2026

I might be slow.

How does Cat Matlala turning state witness will implicate Mkhwanazi and Khumalo?

I see people saying Mkhwanazi, Masemola, Khumalo are going down. Masemola maybe but Mkhwanazi and Khumalo? pic.twitter.com/B4jIdffQoD

— Azania (@azania1023) June 25, 2026