Matlala’s Madlanga Commission appearance postponed amid heightened interest

Postponement and official statement

The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, said the testimony had been postponed and no new date had been set.

“Mr Matlala will therefore not appear in person before the Commission on Tuesday, but his legal representative will instead be physically present.”

Background on Matlala and the controversy

Matlala first built business interests in the private security industry before expanding into healthcare services. In 2018, through his company Medicare24 Tshwane District, he partnered with Mike van Wyk to roll out the Medicare24 franchise into township communities.

In June 2024 Matlala’s company was awarded a South African Police Service healthcare contract worth approximately R228 million. The tender was initially reported to be worth as much as R360 million and drew criticism amid questions about the company’s operational capacity, infrastructure and staffing. Before the contract was terminated, the company had reportedly received about R50 million. The matter is now the subject of ongoing fraud and corruption investigations.

Criminal charges and plea talks

Matlala is in state custody facing 25 criminal charges, including allegations of fraud and corruption linked to public procurement, and an unrelated charge of attempted murder. He has reportedly been engaged in plea negotiations with the National Prosecuting Authority, offering to cooperate with investigators in exchange for a reduced sentence. These proceedings remain before the courts.

Allegations heard at the commission

Evidence presented at the Madlanga Commission has linked Matlala to an alleged network of organised crime and institutional corruption within senior structures of the SAPS. Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo identified Matlala as a leading figure in the so-called “Big Five”, which testimony associates with allegations including cocaine trafficking, kidnapping, cross-border vehicle hijackings and tender-related extortion. The commission record notes these allegations have not been tested in court.

Witnesses have alleged Matlala cultivated relationships with senior police officials through financial inducements and other benefits. Among those named in testimony, Maj-Gen. Richard Shibiri admitted to receiving an R80,000 personal loan from Matlala. Brigadier Rachel Matjeng acknowledged receiving expensive gifts, including doses of the prescription weight-loss medication Ozempic, while overseeing the evaluation of the disputed SAPS healthcare tender.

Additional allegations before the commission implicate Maj-Gen. Lesetja Senona and Shadrack Sibiya in leaking classified police information and accepting financial benefits in exchange for protecting Matlala’s interests. The WhatsApp communications examined by the commission allegedly link Matlala to political fixer Brown Mogotsi and include discussions about state matters and requests for financial support for political activities.

The names of former Police Ministers Bheki Cele and Senzo Mchunu have also surfaced during testimony, though the commission record notes neither has been found guilty of wrongdoing arising from its proceedings.

Other serious allegations and outstanding issues

Among the most serious claims presented to the commission are allegations that Matlala orchestrated the assassination of Transnet whistleblower Armand Swart by allegedly hiring a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer to carry out the killing. Witnesses further alleged senior SAPS officials interfered with or suppressed the murder investigation. Those allegations remain unproven and have not been adjudicated in court.

Evidence before the commission also alleges Matlala’s security company, Cat VIP Protection, entered into an irregular memorandum of understanding with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department that enabled private vehicles to be fitted with unlawful blue emergency lights reserved for law enforcement.

What happens next

The commission has postponed Matlala’s in-person testimony to a date yet to be determined. His legal representative will attend the scheduled session on Tuesday in his stead.