Twelve South African Police Service officers have been arrested over the controversial R360 million tender linked to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District. The arrests followed raids in Pretoria led by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption. A company director was also arrested.

The group is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on fraud and corruption charges. Prosecutors say the case centres on how the tender was awarded and whether officials bent procurement rules to benefit the company.

Tender Under Fresh Scrutiny

The contract at the heart of the case was awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District in June 2024 for health and wellbeing services to SAPS members. That deal later came under heavy scrutiny after allegations of non-performance, bid fronting and serious procurement irregularities surfaced.

The contract was later cancelled after an internal audit flagged major problems. The latest arrests now mark a sharp escalation in efforts to hold those involved accountable.

One of the figures previously drawn into the scandal is Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, a senior SAPS forensic services official. She told the Madlanga Commission that she had been romantically involved with Matlala while his company held a contract under her division.

During her testimony, Matjeng admitted she had helped Matlala raise complaints about delayed SAPS payments. She also denied that R300,000 paid in three instalments was a bribe linked to the contract, saying the money was tied to their personal relationship. Commission evidence leaders, however, raised concerns about a serious conflict of interest.

Bigger Corruption Net Closes in

The arrests land as pressure grows over corruption inside the police service. Investigators have been probing whether senior police officials and other connected figures helped steer public money through an irregular tender process.