The Rise and Fall of Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala: A Tale of Deception and Corruption

In the shadows of South Africa’s political landscape, a figure emerged, weaving a web of deceit and corruption.

Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala was not just any ordinary individual; he was a master manipulator, a man who danced through the corridors of power with the grace of a seasoned politician and the cunning of a streetwise hustler.

His story begins with a tender worth R360 million from the South African Police Service (SAPS), a deal that would set the stage for his explosive rise and subsequent fall.

Just six months before securing this lucrative contract, Matlala had leased a clinic space on police property at the Pretoria West Training Academy.

This 750-square-meter building had been renovated at a staggering cost of R46 million by the Department of Public Works.

Yet, despite signing the lease on 30 November 2023, Matlala never occupied the premises, raising suspicions about the true intentions behind the agreement.

The tender was intended to provide health services to approximately 180,000 police officers and support staff, a significant responsibility that should have gone to a reputable provider.

But Matlala‘s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, was barely five years old and operating from a modest strip mall in Boksburg.

Incredibly, Matlala triumphed over established competitors, even as investigations into his involvement in a R2.

3 billion corruption probe at Tembisa Hospital loomed overhead.

The Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks were already deep into their inquiries, yet the tender evaluation and adjudication committees seemed to turn a blind eye to these serious allegations.

An internal audit soon exposed a litany of irregularities in the tender process.

Specifications failed to meet established standards, the bid wasn’t advertised for the required 21 days, and submissions were not securely stored.

The audit revealed inadequate due diligence, missing scorecards, and glaring signs of misrepresentation and fronting in Matlala‘s submission.

Portraying himself as the president of the Medicare24 Group, Matlala crafted a false image of experience and capability, while in reality, he was merely a franchisee.

As the investigation unfolded, the Department of Public Works promised to scrutinize the lease agreement, with preliminary checks hinting at significant weaknesses in internal controls.

On 12 May, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola finally canceled the contract after Matlala had already pocketed R18 million.

In the 103 days leading up to the cancellation, a staggering R50 million had been disbursed.

Reasons for the cancellation included underperformance, irregularities in bid documents, hiring unauthorized personnel, false claims, misrepresentation, and fronting.

The investigation revealed alarming connections between Matlala and key figures within the police force.

Brigadier Petunia Lenono, who had served on both the bid specification and evaluation committees, resigned shortly after the tender was awarded and joined Matlala as a consultant.

Payments appeared to flow toward Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Captain Brian Cartwright, who played crucial roles in shaping the tender specifications and sat on the evaluation committee.

Bank records indicated that these funds were funneled through proxy companies to obscure their true recipients.

Matlala‘s lavish lifestyle raised eyebrows, especially after it was revealed that he provided luxurious hotel penthouse stays for former Police Minister Bheki Cele during whose term the tender was awarded.

The scandal surrounding the tender is now under criminal investigation by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption.

But Matlala‘s history is as murky as the waters he navigated.

He had a criminal record dating back to 2001, with a conviction for house burglary and numerous arrests for theft, robbery, and possession of illegal firearms, most of which were withdrawn.

In 2016, he was arrested alongside Kagiso Ledwaba, a convicted murderer tied to crime boss Radovan Krejcir.

Recently, Matlala faced charges for three counts of attempted murder and conspiracy related to botched hits on individuals including Tebogo Thobejane, Joe Sibanyoni, and DJ Vettys (Seunkie Mokubung).

Testimonies positioned Matlala as an underworld leader, influencing high-ranking officials, including now-suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

His connections extended to the notorious Big Five drug cartel through associates, intertwining his fate with the darkest corners of South African society.

Matlala‘s involvement in the Tembisa Hospital scandal is particularly chilling, as it ties back to the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who had exposed fraud involving companies linked to Matlala.

As of 10 November 2025, Matlala remains in custody, awaiting a bail application that could alter the trajectory of his tumultuous life.

The question looms large: what should happen to individuals like Cat Matlala who exploit government systems and endanger the lives of honest officials?

Should they face the full extent of the law, or is there a darker truth lurking beneath the surface of justice?

As Matlala awaits his fate, the echoes of his actions reverberate throughout the nation.

His story is not just one of personal greed; it is a reflection of a system that allows such corruption to flourish.

In a country striving for integrity and justice, Matlala stands as a symbol of everything that is wrong.

The fallout from his actions will be felt for years to come, as the nation grapples with the implications of his deceit.

As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the public watches with bated breath, eager for accountability.

In the end, Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala may find that the walls he built around himself are crumbling, and the very system he sought to manipulate is now turning against him.

The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion, a Hollywood-style unraveling of a man who dared to play with fire in the world of corruption.

As the curtain falls on this chapter, one can only hope that justice will prevail, and those who exploit the vulnerable will be brought to account.

In a world where power corrupts, Matlala serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of a life lived in the shadows.