By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Medicare24 CEO Michael van Wyk has been granted postponement after his legal team presented medical reports indicating he had been hospitalized.
The commission confirmed that Van Wyk was scheduled to testify, with Chief Evidence Leader Adv. Matthew Chaskalson SC leading the evidence.
“The witness scheduled for today is Michael van Wyk, Chief Executive Officer of Medicare24,” commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said.
His lawyer, Sandy Du Plessis, told the Commission that his client suffered panic attack and is seeing a psychiatrist.
Du Plessis said that her client consulted psychiatrist Dr Arnold Lawrence, who recommended that he be admitted to psychiatric unit.
Proceedings were temporarily adjourned while commissioners awaited medical records and supporting documentation before deciding whether the hearing could continue.
Chaskalson said they’ve agreed to proceed without Van Wyk.
“We will use today for me to take the commission through the evidence bundle so that the inferences that we seek to draw and the evidence we are concerned about is clear.”
He said Van Wyk will be given an opportunity respond to Monday’s sitting.
“If Van Wyk wants to file a supplementary affidavit in light of today’s proceedings to clarify anything, he will do so when he can, but with a deadline of 6 July.”
The evidence before commission linked Van Wyk to alleged crime figure Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala and suspended acting EMPD commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi.
The commission has also heard evidence involving voice notes, WhatsApp messages, blue lights, municipal resources and controversial agreements allegedly used to advance private interests.
Medicare24 remains under the spotlight over its involvement in a cancelled R360-million SAPS health risk management tender in Tshwane.
It was later cancelled.
In November 2023, a tender process was initiated for police health risk management services. This involved services dealing with retirement due to ill health, wellness screenings and medical assessments before employment.
Van Wyk founded the company Medicare 24 Holdings and Public. Matlala created a franchise of the above company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District.
This company is the centre of a developing court case, because in 2024 it was dubiously awarded a R228-million policing tender, which has since been cancelled.
A dozen senior police officers, as well as suspended national police commissioner Fannie Masemola, face criminal charges in connection with this scandal. Both Van Wyk and Matlala were also involved in separate private security businesses.
Chaskalson focused on messages between Van Wyk and Matlala during Monday’s proceedings.
One message included the video clip, which fell into a category of evidence that Chaskalson said was indicative of the pair being involved in cocaine dealings.
Chaskalson said the video was sent from Matlala to Van Wyk on 6 April 2025. However, Chaskalson added: “Van Wyk disputes receiving this video.”
The cocaine appeared to be connected to Brazil, and police had previously intercepted cocaine bricks with similar logos — the word “prestige” and a crown symbol.
It also emerged that EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and Van Wyk had apparently planned a few years ago to set up a joint venture – an anti-hijacking unit.
Chaskalson referred to messages that Mkhwanazi had sent to Van Wyk in 2022.
The commission has heard evidence on Matlala’s connections to the EMPD – that his vehicles were fitted with blue lights from the department.
Mkhwanazi has also admitted to knowing Matlala and accepting money from him.
Van Wyk’s connection to Mkhwanazi expands this part of the web.
Meanwhile a transcript of the testimony of Witness J, who testified in camera last week, has been released by the Commission.
In the redacted transcript, Witness J alleges that Tumelo Nku is not an informant but is involved in drug trafficking and is connected to the African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape.
The release of the transcript provides the public with insight into the testimony that was heard behind closed doors during last week’s proceedings.
This story has been updated with Commission’s outcome on postponement and Witness J transcripts.