One of the 12 officers who appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning is Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who claimed that she and Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala were in a romantic relationship and that he showered her with gifts.
Testifying before the Madlanga Commission in February, Matjeng said that none of the money Matlala gave her was a bribe to secure the R360million SAPS contract.
She said he showered her with gifts, which included Ozempic, a weight loss drug, that cost around R4,500 per unit. When questioned about R300,000 she received from Matlala, she told the commission it was unrelated to her job.
The 12 officers were arrested during a raid by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on Tuesday evening for allegedly assisting alleged cartel leader, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, in securing an irregular tender from the South African Police Services (SAPS).
Matjeng said this during her testimony before the Madlanga Commission in February that she had a romantic relationship with Matlala. She denied taking money as a bribe, but insisted that he showered her with gifts because of their romantic relationship.
They are charged with fraud, money laundering, tender manipulation, and violation of the Finance Act.
The officers have been linked to a R360 million SAPS health tender awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District, which Matlala owns.
Other officers include General Busi Temba, Brigadier Ofentse Tlhoaele, Brigadier Kistey Jonker, Brigadier Thembinkosi Ngema, Colonel Nehemiah Maleka, Colonel Johannes Monyai, Captain Brian Catwright, retired Colonel Anthony Paulsen, and Brigadier Rachelle Matjeng.
The matter is proceeding.
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