Twelve South African Police Service (SAPS) officers are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday following their arrest over a controversial R360 million health services tender linked to businessman and alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The arrests were carried out by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on Tuesday evening.
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NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the officers, believed to be linked to SAPS supply chain management processes, face charges of corruption, fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
A director from a private company has also been arrested in connection with the case.
At the centre of the matter is a 2024 contract awarded to Medicare 24 Tshwane District, a company associated with Matlala, to provide services including medical assessments, wellness screenings, injury on duty evaluations and pre-employment screenings for police officers.
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The tender is under scrutiny amid claims that rules were bypassed, with evidence before the Madlanga Commission suggesting officials may have been paid to approve it.
While several senior police officials have been named during commission proceedings, those arrested are understood to be officials involved at an operational level in the tender process.
Matlala, who has been repeatedly implicated in testimony on alleged criminal networks and influence within law enforcement, remains in custody at Ebongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre in Kokstad.
Source: https://witness.co.za/news/2026/03/25/twelve-police-officers-arrested-over-r360m-matlala-tender/
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