Pretoria – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has suspended nine police officers from the Bid Evaluation Committee, which allegedly overlooked anomalies and awarded a multi-million-rand tender to Medicare24.
The Medicare24 contract with SAPS, which was the subject of the ongoing Madlanga Commission of inquiry, was a R360 million tender awarded in 2024 to provide health services for police staff.
However, it became mired in allegations of corruption, fraud, and irregular procurement, leading to its cancellation in 2025 and the arrest of 12 senior police officers.
The owner of Medicare 24 Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala remains in custody pending trial for various matters.
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Matlala has been denied bail several times in another matter related to the 2023 alleged attempted assassination of his ex-girlfriend, socialite Tebogo Thobejane.
Regarding the latest development in the dodgy awarding of the Medicare tender, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said today, Friday, 5 June 2026, that nine members had been placed on suspension pending the finalisation of disciplinary and related investigations.
“The SAPS remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in all its operations,” said Brigadier Mathe.
“As the matter is subject to ongoing processes, the SAPS will not comment further at this stage.”
