By Anita Dangazele
- Under his agreement with the NPA, Matlala must cooperate fully with investigators and testify against all 16 remaining accused in the R228-million SAPS tender fraud case.
- The plea deal covers only the tender case. Matlala still faces a separate attempted murder trial in the Johannesburg High Court, starting 20 July 2026.
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is going to prison for eight years. But before he gets there, he has agreed to do something that could shake the South African Police Service from the inside.
Under the terms of his plea and sentence agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority, Matlala has committed to full, unreserved cooperation with investigators. He will testify against all 16 remaining co-accused in the R228-million SAPS health services tender fraud case. They include senior police generals, administrative officials and politicians who allegedly facilitated the contract or received kickbacks from it.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption said the agreement is designed specifically to pursue individuals higher up the chain. Matlala has already provided an affidavit and supporting evidence.
As investigations continue, he is required to account for any new leads that emerge — including from his seized cellphones and financial records.
His full sentence is 15 years. Seven years are suspended. He serves the remaining eight directly. He returns to the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court next Wednesday for sentencing proceedings.
The deal is not a free pass. If Matlala withholds information or lies on the witness stand, the agreement collapses and he faces the full 15-year sentence without suspension.
The NPA also confirmed the agreement covers only the tender case. Matlala still faces separate charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder linked to the 2023 Sandton shooting of actress Tebogo Thobejane. That trial begins in the Johannesburg High Court on 20 July 2026.
Among those he is expected to testify against is Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry earlier this year that the R300,000 Matlala paid her was a girlfriend allowance, not a bribe.
In his plea admissions on Thursday, Matlala said it was payment to influence the tender.
The contract was cancelled, but not before more than R50-million had been paid out.
Pictured above: Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala outside the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Image source: File
