Alleged crime figure Vusimuzi Cat Matlala has reportedly offered to provide information to law enforcement in exchange for leniency in his corruption case related to a R228 million tender irregularly awarded by SAPS to his company Medicare24 Tshwane District.
The Investigative Directorate Against Corruption has not commented on the claims. Spokesperson Henry Mamothame declined to answer questions about whether Matlala was providing information, stating only that IDAC would not comment.
Media reports suggest Matlala felt used and let down after suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and top police officials failed to shield him from arrest during a SAPS raid at his home and offices.
Matlala recently appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court alongside senior police officers facing corruption and fraud charges over the tender. Suspended SAPS national commissioner Fannie Masemola, a co-accused, faces four charges including breaches of the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, money laundering and other financial misconduct.
According to reports, Matlala’s lawyers have contacted IDAC with information allegedly linking senior police officers and possibly politicians to wrongdoing.
Separately, Matlala previously claimed he paid former Police Minister Bheki Cele R500,000 in cash on two occasions to prevent police harassment and facilitate the return of his seized firearms. He testified before a parliamentary committee that Cele solicited a R1 million bribe, part of which was reportedly handed over in Woolworths shopping bags. Cele has not responded to requests for comment.
In other developments, IDAC said on Sunday it was concerned about rumours suggesting it had issued an arrest warrant for KwaZulu-Natal SAPS chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. IDAC urged the public to be vigilant against false information on social media aimed at destabilising law enforcement.
