The alleged crime boss Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala in the magistrate’s court in Pretoria on Wednesday. (Photo: Isabel Venter / Maroela Media).
A dozen police chiefs are accused of allowing the South African Police Service to be defrauded out of millions of rands instead of acting as gatekeepers.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) investigative directorate against corruption (Idac) has not only focused on the alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, but also on the tender evaluation committee of the police.
Adv. Santhos Manillal, the prosecutor, said during the accused’s appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that they were the “higher guardians”.
“They could have prevented the fraud, but chose to look away,” Manillal said.
The members of the committee, who were all arrested on Tuesday, include: Brig. Alpheus Thembinkosi Ngema (60), Nnyimeleni Patrick Nethengwe (55), col. Tumisho Nehemiah Maleka (45), gen. Busisiwe Precious Temba (58), Brig. Kristy Jonker (53), Petunia Reabetsoe Lenono (47), Brig. Onicca Ofentse Tlhoaele (50), Nonjabulo Nomfundo Brightness Mngadi (47), ex-col. Anton Paulsen (61) and col. Natsengae Johannes Monayi (47).
They stand with Matlala’s former mistress, Brig. Rachel Matjeng (51), capt. Brian Neville Cartwright (45) – the committee’s facilitator – and a business partner of Matlala, James George Murray (46), right.
Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and 13 other high-ranking police officers appeared in the magistrate’s court in Pretoria on Wednesday under heavy police guard. (Photo: Isabel Venter / Maroela Media).
According to the state, the group all conspired to award a tender, for which the treasury budgeted R360 billion, to Matlala. The R228 billion contract was awarded to MediCare 24 Tshwane – a company of which Matlala is the sole director.
Among other things, the tender would provide for wellness screening tests, assessments for retirement on medical grounds and temporary disability leave. Maroela Media earlier reported that this tender was canceled this year by Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, after allegations of serious fraud came to light.
According to the indictment, the standard procurement processes were bypassed and the police made a total of 199 payments of more than R50 million to Medicare 24 Tshwane.
Matlala was the sole director of this company after he registered the company on 13 February 2019. He then concluded a franchise contract with the parent company, Medicare Holdings, and proceeded to submit a tender offer.
MediCare Holdings is a group consisting of occupational health clinics with their head office in Mpumalanga. However, according to the state, Matlala’s franchise did not have the necessary equipment to provide any health services to the police.
MediCare 24 Tshwane was less than five years old and not registered for tax, and would have to outsource at least 30% of its services. All this is contrary to tender and procurement legislation, the state argued.
Despite this, the tender was granted in a flash.
That’s how the money flowed
Shortly after the contract was awarded in June 2024, the 199 payments were made into MediCare 24 Tshwane’s FNB account.
After that, Matlala allegedly transferred the money to Luxo Africa Brand Investments’ FNB account, and then transferred it into the account of another company, Osizweni Meat Hyper (Pty) Ltd.
The money was then transferred to Modiegi Christina Nnyalleng Kekana’s personal account, and allegedly eventually to Matjeng, after a bribe of R300 000 was paid to her.
It appears from the charge sheet that the payments were made in three monthly installments of R100 000 from January to March last year.
The committee’s ‘flawed overview’
The committee members apparently paid an overview visit to MediCare 24 Holdings’ premises in Boksburg on 2 April 2024. However, this was not the physical business address of Medicare 24 Tshwane District, as indicated in the official documents.
Committee members are also said to have signed documents granting the contract, confirming that MediCare 24 Tshwane has the necessary computer system, infrastructure and staff.
According to the state, MediCare 24 Tshwane did not in fact provide any of the necessary evidence.
“The contract had to be rejected immediately.
According to the state, Matlala, Murray, Cartwright and Matjeng were the alleged masterminds and prepared the “fraudulent tender documents.”
Cartwright was apparently well known to Matlala and therefore should have rejected his appointment as facilitator of the procurement committee.
Despite this, Cartwright appears to have drawn up the committee’s daily minutes and helped make proposals.
As the sole director of Medicare 24 Tshwane, Matlala is accused of fraud, money laundering and corruption.
Matjeng, who is accused of sharing information because of their relationship, is facing charges of corruption, money laundering and receiving bribes.
Cartwright, Ngema, Nethengwe, Maleka, Temba, Jonker, Lenono, Tlhoaele, Mngadi and Paulsen who at the time formed part of the police’s tender evaluation committee, are facing charges of fraud in that they apparently acted with the common aim of approving the fraudulent tender despite Matlala’s company not meeting the tender requirements.
Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and his former lover Brig. Rachel Matjeng leans over James George Murray and Capt. Brian Neville Cartwright to talk to each other in the dock of the magistrate’s court in Pretoria. (Photo: Isabel Venter / Maroela Media).
Maleka faces additional charges of fraud because he allegedly signed the tender on behalf of the committee.
Bail was granted to all the accused, except for Matlala who is in custody due to another criminal case.
Possibility of noh accused
It came to light after Wednesday’s court proceedings that Idac obtained another warrant for gen. Fannie Masemola, national police commissioner, to appear in court later because of this tender.
Brig. Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesperson, has confirmed that Masemola will give his full cooperation with the corruption charges he is now facing.
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa also said in a short statement that Masemola’s warrant was taken note of, as well as the arrests of 12 senior police officers.
“The president will deal with the matter regarding Masemola in accordance with the law,” said Vincent Magwenya, presidential spokesman.
He added: “The President, in collaboration with the Minister of Police, is committed to ensuring that the police remain stable and are able to continue to fulfill their policing mandate.”