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WATCH | Top cop Masemola in court with suspected organised crime kingpin ‘Cat’ Matlala

The case relates to alleged irregular awarding of a Medicare24 Tshwane District contract

2 min read
Suspended national police commissioner Fannie Sehlahle Masemola appeared in court alongside Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and other senior police officers on charges relating to the alleged irregular awarding of a Medicare24 contract. The accused sat in two rows.
Suspended national police commissioner Fannie Sehlahle Masemola appeared in court alongside Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and other senior police officers on charges relating to the alleged irregular awarding of a Medicare24 contract. The accused sat in two rows.Picture: NPA

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The Medicare24 tender corruption case involving suspended national police commissioner Fannie Masemola and suspected organised crime kingpin Vusimuzi Cat Matlala has been referred for further investigation.

The two men appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Wednesday alongside co-accused James Murray (service provider), Capt Brian Neville, Brig Rachel Matjeng, Brig Alpheus Thembinkosi Ngema, Brig Patrick Nethengwe, Tumisho Nehemiah Maleka (Procurement Officer), Maj-Gen Busisiwe Precious Temba, Brig Kirsty Jonker, Brig Petunia Reabetsoe Lenono, Brig Onica Ofentse Tlhoale, Col Nonjabulo Nomfundo Mngadi, Col Anton Paulsen and Col Natsenge Johannes Monyai.

The case relates to the allegedly irregular awarding of a contract to Medicare24, a company owned by Matlala.

The trial will return to court on June 26.

The prosecution said investigators need more time for financial analysis and to gather information before disclosure of the docket to the accused.

Fresh information had come to light, said Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the NPA’s Independent Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) unit.

“New information has emerged from consultations [with Matlala], compelling further investigation by the State.”

“I might be dragged closer to serious criminals who I don’t know, but they [police] must remain positive, serve the people and look forward. I know I am not guilty and I am not wrong.” These are the words of national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola, shortly after his case was postponed in the Pretoria magistrate’s court o Tuesday. The matter was postponed to May 13. “I have not done corruption. I have been charged with PFMA. I don’t understand why,” Masemola said. Masemola is charged with four counts of contravening the Public Finance Management Act. The charges are in relation to the R360m SAPS tender awarded to Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala. He will join 13 other SAPS officials charged with corruption, fraud and other charges related to Matlala’s tender. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption told the court investigations are at an advanced stage. Masemola said he has not done any wrong. Sowetan

He confirmed that Matlala would be moved back to the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria from a prison in KwaZulu-Natal, as per the successful court action his lawyers filed.

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