By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The underworld kingpin Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala has pleaded guilty to fraud and corruption charges related to his R360 million South Africa Police Services (SAPS) tender.
Matlala entered into a plea agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and has been placed on record.
He made a brief appearance in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
Matlala stands accused of playing a central role in alleged irregularities surrounding a controversial multi-million-rand SAPS tender awarded to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.
The contract has been mired in allegations of corruption, fraud and improper influence.
His appearance in court follows the separation of his matter from that of his co-accused, paving the way for the plea and sentence agreement to be considered independently.
In terms of the agreement, Matlala was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, suspended for seven years. His companies, Cat VIP Protection and Medicare Tshwane, were each fined R1-million. The magistrate still needs to agree to the plea deal and will make a ruling on 1 July.
The agreement lies in Matlala’s commitment to testify for the State against police officers and other accused implicated in the alleged tender-rigging scheme.
The suspended sentence comes with stringent conditions. Matlala may not be convicted of theft, fraud, corruption or offences under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act or the Prevention of Organised Crime Act during the suspension period.
He is also required to cooperate fully with prosecutors and testify in all future proceedings arising from the investigation.
Should he refuse to testify, retract any of his statements to investigators or otherwise breach the agreement, the suspended sentence may be activated. He is further prohibited from leaving South Africa before the end of 2030 without authorisation.
In his plea and sentencing agreement, Matlala implicated Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who allegedly received gratification from him, and Captain Brian Cartwright, who allegedly facilitated bid documents riddled with false information.
Matlala has also provided investigators with a draft statement detailing the alleged involvement of several high-profile individuals.
Prosecutors said the information and supporting evidence provided by Matlala would enable the State, for the first time, to pursue individuals occupying some of the highest positions within law enforcement structures.
Matlala has also made himself available as a witness and is prepared to testify about his own role, as well as the involvement of others, in contracts concluded between Medicare 24 Tshwane and the SAPS.
The second case in which Matlala is accused involves 25 charges relating to three separate shootings that allegedly happened between August 2022 and January 2024. The trial is set to start on 20 July 2026.