The Downward Spiral: “Cat” Matlala’s Firm Ordered Out of Its Lair

The unraveling of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s business empire has taken a tangible turn. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ordered the eviction of his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, from its upmarket offices in Menlyn Maine Towers over unpaid rent of R258,890. This comes just months after the controversial R360 million police tender awarded to the company was cancelled, and as Matlala himself sits in custody on attempted murder charges.

Judge Colleen Collis granted the order on Monday, authorizing the sheriff and SAPS to eject the company and granting the property owner a claim to its movable assets. Matlala’s firm had a lease running until August 2026 but stopped paying rent in June 2024, according to court papers. The property company, Menlyn Maine Towers, cancelled the lease in July 2025 after also accusing Matlala of breaching it by housing his other company, Cat VIP Protectionwhere guns were keptin the offices without consent.

A “Money Tree” Wilting Under Scrutiny

The eviction is a stark symbol of decline for a figure central to some of South Africa’s most explosive corruption allegations. Matlala has been labelled a “money tree” in testimonies before the Madlanga Commission, accused of bankrolling politicians and bribing top cops to secure the massive police contract. He is a key figure in investigations into alleged criminal cartel infiltration of the SAPS.

While Matlala has denied all allegations, his own parliamentary testimony painted a picture of lavish spendingclaiming R2 million monthly in company expenses, paying R150,000 for ANC celebrations, and alleging extortion by former Police Minister Bheki Cele. He also admitted to payments to associates of suspended Minister Senzo Mchunu.

From Tender Tycoon to Tenant in Default

The court order moves the Matlala saga from the realm of hearings and headlines to concrete consequence. It reveals a business unable to meet basic operational costs, a far cry from the flush “money tree” image presented in testimonies. With Matlala in custody, his assets seized in other proceedings, and now his company evicted, the facade of a prosperous tycoon is crumbling, leaving a trail of unpaid bills and mounting legal judgments in its wake. For the state, it’s a small but significant recovery; for Matlala, it’s another door closing.

{Source: Timeslive}

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