Cat Matlala offers information to IDAC in bid for leniency over R228m Medicare24 tender

What has been alleged

Media reports say Matlala approached the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) offering information that could link senior police officers and possibly politicians to wrongdoing connected to the multimillion-rand Medicare24 tender. Those reports followed a recent court appearance in Pretoria where Matlala attended with senior police officers who face corruption and fraud charges over the tender.

IDAC response and public messaging

IDAC declined to comment when asked about the allegations. Spokesperson Henry Mamothame told reporters:

“IDAC won’t be commenting on your enquiry.”

In a separate media statement, IDAC also addressed rumours that it had issued a J50 arrest warrant for KwaZulu-Natal SAPS chief Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mamothame described that information as false and said it had been dismissed.

“The information is false and dismissed with the contempt it deserves. These rumours have clearly started to disrupt and distract the work of IDAC, as well as the responsibilities that General Mkhwanazi is discharging in the fight against crime.”

Allegations involving senior police figures and others

The matter is linked to wider allegations involving senior police figures. Suspended SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, a co-accused in the tender case, faces four charges including alleged breaches of the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, money laundering and other financial misconduct.

Reports claim Matlala felt betrayed after suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and other senior police officials did not shield him from arrest during a SAPS raid on his residence and offices. Sithembiso Mshengu, Mchunu’s spokesperson, did not respond to a request for comment, according to the reports.

Other linked claims heard in media and commission testimony

The reports reference testimony and claims involving controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi, who told the Madlanga Commission last year that Matlala sought to meet Mchunu during the ANC’s January 8, 2025 celebration and that Matlala financed travel for ANC members. Mogotsi was arrested on Friday and faces separate charges, including allegations of orchestrating a staged assassination attempt in the Vosloorus matter and defeating the ends of justice.

Mogotsi has said Matlala paid R149,000 to Gotlhe Travel, a travel agency run by Mogotsi’s fiancé. Earlier testimony and media reports also include Matlala’s claims about cash payments to former Police Minister Bheki Cele. Matlala previously claimed he paid Cele R500,000 in cash on two separate occasions and said Cele had solicited a R1 million bribe, part of which Matlala said was handed over in Woolworths shopping bags during his testimony before a parliamentary ad hoc committee in November.

Investigations and public interest

Reports suggested that consultations between Matlala and investigators had concluded and that new information from those discussions led the state to open further investigations. IDAC’s public statements attempted to push back against what it described as destabilising rumours circulating on social media.

What remains unclear

IDAC refused to expand on whether Matlala is providing ongoing information, and attempts to get comment from some of the named individuals were unsuccessful or went unanswered, according to the reporting. The matter continues to intersect with ongoing investigations and court proceedings related to the Medicare24 tender.