Pretoria – Arrested businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Mtalala will be back in court next month, where he will be joined by 15 others incriminated in the irregular awarding of a multi-million-rand contract to Medicare 24.
The R360 million tender, which was irregularly awarded to Medicare 24, a company owned by Matlala, has since been cancelled.
On Monday, 20 April 2026, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court postponed the case against Matlala to 13 May 2026 for the finalisation of consultations and for him to give instructions to his attorney.
The court also granted the state’s request to have Matlala detained at Kgosi Mampuru until consultations were completed.
Earlier this year, Matlala was moved from Kgosi Mampuru in Tshwane to the Ebongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.
Matlala protested against the move and sought to be returned to Kgosi Mampuru.
Matlala has been held since May last year on suspicion that he was the mastermind behind the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane.
He is at the centre of the irregular tender awarded to Media 24 and is suspected of other serious crimes.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) stated that Matlala would be joined by 15 others who are facing charges of corruption, fraud, and the Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
“The charges relate to the alleged irregular awarding of a contract to Medicare 24, a company owned by Matlala, valued at approximately R228 million,” explained IDAC Spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
The co-accused expected to join Matlala in the dock include:
- James Murray (service provider / managing director of Medicare 24 Group / Holdings and a director of one of the entities)
- Captain Brian Neville (SAPS)
- Brigadier Rachel Matjeng (SAPS)
- Brigadier Alpheus Thembinkosi Ngema (SAPS)
- Brigadier Patrick Nethengwe (SAPS)
- Tumisho Nehemiah Maleka (Procurement Officer)
- Major General Busisiwe Precious Temba (SAPS)
- Brigadier Kirsty Jonker (SAPS)
- Brigadier Petunia Reabetsoe Lenono (SAPS)
- Brigadier Onica Ofentse Tlhoale (SAPS)
- Colonel Nonjabulo Nomfundo Mngadi (SAPS)
- Colonel Anton Paulsen (SAPS)
- Colonel Natsenge Johannes Monyai (SAPS)
