Cat Matlala pleads guilty in SAPS‑Medicare24 tender case

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has pleaded guilty to charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering after reaching a plea agreement with the state in the case arising from a disputed South African Police Service (SAPS) health‑services tender.

Guilty plea and plea‑deal timeline

Matlala appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on 25 June 2026, after his trial was separated the previous day. According to the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), the plea arrangement was reached on 22 June, and Matlala pleaded guilty to all charges, Idac senior investigator Suneel Bellochun said.

Matlala confirmed the arrangement in court and is expected to be sentenced according to the terms of the plea deal.

Background: the SAPS‑Medicare24 tender

The charges arise from a tender initially valued at R360 million awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company linked to Matlala. Investigations described the tender process as irregular and found that at least R50 million was paid out before the contract was cancelled in May 2025.

Matlala was one of 17 accused in the broader case, which also involved the suspended national police commissioner Fannie Masemola.

Allegations against others named in the matter

• The state alleges Medicare24 Holdings managing director James George Murray and Captain Brian Cartwright assisted Matlala in preparing the bid submission for the tender.
• Cartwright is accused of drafting bid evaluation committee (BEC) minutes and submitting documents to the bid adjudication committee (BAC).
• Investigators allege that members of the BEC, including nine police officers among the accused, did not identify or raise concerns during the evaluation process.
• Senior procurement officer Tumisho Nehemiah Maleka is accused of not properly scrutinising the submission before recommending it to the BAC for approval.
• Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who works in SAPS’ forensic services division and is described in the case as Matlala’s alleged girlfriend, is accused of helping implement the contract by facilitating purchase orders and is alleged to have received three payments of R300 000 between January and March 2025.

Allegations of money laundering

Authorities say funds were laundered through financial movements involving Matlala, Medicare24, and Luxo Africa Brand Investments.

Next steps

With Matlala’s guilty plea entered under the plea agreement, the matter will proceed to sentencing as outlined in that arrangement.