In the shadowy streets of high-stakes tenders and hidden dealings, Vusimuzi Cat Matlala built an empire that seemed untouchable. Known for his immense wealth and flashy lifestyle, this tender tycoon once controlled millions through government contracts, living like a king in sprawling mansions and driving luxury cars worth fortunes. But his downfall began in the cold cells of Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where a simple cellphone discovered in his possession exposed cracks in prison security and unraveled a web of mistakes. What started as a routine search turned into a scandal that highlighted his biggest error: threatening National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola over a canceled R360 million deal. This bold move not only accelerated investigations into his affairs but also painted a target on his back, leading to tighter scrutiny and his isolation in a maximum-security wing.
It all unfolded on a quiet Sunday morning in July 2025, when officials at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre conducted a surprise raid. During this operation, they found a cellphone hidden with Matlala, a 49-year-old inmate already facing serious charges. Matlala claimed he had received the device from another prisoner who had since been released on bail, but the official probe could not confirm this story. Instead, the investigation pointed solely to Matlala as the one responsible for having the contraband. The cellphone was quickly handed over to the South African Police Service for deeper analysis, revealing messages and data that would fuel even more inquiries into his network. As a result, authorities reclassified Matlala as a high-risk inmate and transferred him to the C-Max section of the prison, a place reserved for those needing the strictest oversight. This move came after a thorough risk assessment, ensuring he remained under constant watch with frequent searches to prevent any further slips.
The cellphone incident was no isolated event; it tied directly to Matlala's growing list of troubles, especially his heated clash with General Fannie Masemola. Just months earlier, on 13 May 2025, Matlala's lawyer sent a stern letter to Masemola, warning of legal action if the police did not reverse the termination of a massive contract. This R360 million agreement, awarded to Matlala's company Medicare24 Tshwane District in June 2023, was meant to provide health risk management services to thousands of police officers over three years. Matlala argued that the cancellation was unlawful and ignored proper dispute resolution steps outlined in their agreement. He demanded that all services continue and accused the police of breaching the contract without fair process. But Masemola stood firm, citing multiple irregularities that made the deal untenable from the start.
The tender's problems ran deep, rooted in a bidding process riddled with inconsistencies. Forensic reviews uncovered mismatched signatures on key documents, suggesting someone had tampered with them to push the bid through. Individuals like James Murray and Mike van Wyk appeared in confusing roles, listed as part of both the parent company and Matlala's franchise operation, which created doubts about the true structure and capabilities of Medicare24 Tshwane District. Masemola pointed out that Matlala had denied Murray's directorship in the holding company, yet bid documents clearly showed him as managing director, raising flags of misrepresentation. Even more concerning, a former police brigadier named Petunia Lenono, who had served on the bid evaluation committee, later joined Matlala's firm during the contract's run. This hiring broke clear rules against conflicts of interest, as Lenono had been deeply involved in approving the very tender she then worked under. Emails from her using a company address confirmed this overlap, painting a picture of insider dealings that undermined the entire process.
Masemola's letter on 12 May 2025 instructed Matlala to stop all services immediately, return any police property, and assist in handing over operations. The commissioner reserved the right to seek damages and pursue legal steps, including possible criminal charges. Underperformance added to the woes; despite promises, Matlala's company failed to deliver on several fronts, with documented issues that justified ending the deal. This cancellation was not sudden—it followed a preliminary report from January 2024 that highlighted these flaws and advised seeking legal advice on how to proceed. Matlala's threat to sue only intensified the spotlight, prompting Masemola to dig deeper into the tycoon's connections within the police force itself.
Matlala's wealth, often described as filthy rich, stemmed from such deals, but it masked a trail of unpaid debts and broken promises. His company, the sole entity with him as director, raked in millions, yet subcontractors like Fidel Moloi waited months for payments totaling R1.6 million. Moloi, who handled parts of the health services work, faced bankruptcy as his own bills piled up, unable to pay staff or rent after advancing funds that were never reimbursed. Employees at Medicare24 Tshwane District suffered similar fates, with salaries delayed or paid in parts, and essential deductions for taxes and unemployment insurance never properly handled. In April 2025, the office lost water and electricity due to unpaid bills, forcing workers home. When the tender ended, many were dismissed without their owed wages dating back to March, leaving them in financial ruin. These details revealed how Matlala prioritized luxury over obligations, diverting funds to sustain an extravagant image.
His lifestyle was a spectacle of excess, funded by state money that flowed freely after the tender win. Matlala and his family occupied not one, but multiple high-end properties. They owned a massive home in Midstream Ridge estate near Pretoria, bought for R8.1 million in 2020 through his security firm, CAT VIP Protection. Deeds showed it was paid off quickly, likely within a year, allowing them to live mortgage-free. But that was not enough; they also rented a grand mansion in Waterkloof Ridge for R95,000 a month, signed after the tender award. This property, hidden behind tall walls, featured expansive grounds visible only from above, offering privacy for their opulent routines. Additionally, Matlala leased a penthouse at The Capital Menlyn Maine, adding another layer to their portfolio of elite addresses.
Vehicles matched the grandeur, with a fleet including a R9 million Rolls-Royce Wraith, complete with leather interiors and a ceiling mimicking a starry night. Tsakani Matlala, his wife, often drove it, showcasing it in social media videos alongside designer outfits. One such clip, posted a month after the tender, showed her and their daughter in Christian Dior pieces—a handbag worth R95,000 and a blouse at R33,000—paired with a Louis Vuitton bag for the daughter at R22,500. The family office in Pretoria cost nearly R350,000 monthly in rent, serving as a hub for their operations while projecting success. Even personal enhancements came from the funds; Tsakani traveled to Turkey for cosmetic surgery in early 2024, with her doctor sharing before-and-after images that highlighted the results during her recovery.
Matlala himself dressed for the spotlight, even in court. At his first appearance, he wore a Dolce & Gabbana hoodie valued at R27,000 and Givenchy shoes at R6,000, despite the handcuffs and leg irons. In a later hearing in May 2025, an Alexander McQueen jersey worth R22,500 completed his look. This flair for fashion extended back years, but the police tender amplified it, turning modest gains into unchecked splurges. Before this, Matlala had dipped into state contracts through companies like Black AK Trading and Suppliers, Cor Kabeng Trading and Suppliers, and Falcon CAT Trading and Suppliers.
These business ties intertwined with personal dramas that landed Matlala in prison. Central to his charges was a shooting on the N1 highway near Sandton on an October night in 2023. Tebogo Thobejane, a socialite and actress from the show Muvhango, was in a car targeted by gunfire. She suffered a wound to her foot, but a passenger named Anele endured far worse—a severe spinal injury from automatic rifle fire that left her paralyzed and reliant on a wheelchair. During the chaos, Anele's blood splattered across Thobejane, who feared her friend had died as her eyes rolled back. Anele's recovery has been slow, with gradual improvements, but she faces a lifelong challenge. Thobejane later described living with ongoing fear and anxiety, feeling unsupported despite the trauma.
The attack stemmed from a tangled romantic history. Matlala had dated Thobejane, but their relationship soured when he began seeing Tsakani Baloyi, introduced by Thobejane herself. What started as friendship turned to betrayal when Matlala allegedly cheated, leading Thobejane to end things. Tsakani then pushed for marriage, creating enmity between the two women. Sources suggest Tsakani may have influenced Matlala to target Thobejane, hiring hitmen for the job. Matlala was arrested on 14 May 2025 in Midrand after a major police probe led by General Mkhwanazi, charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering, and fraud. His co-accused included Tsakani, granted R20,000 bail due to health and family reasons, and Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, who remained in custody. The case was postponed to 26 August 2025 for Matlala's bail application, with all accused appearing at Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in early July 2025.
On 6 July 2025, Mkhwanazi's statements prompted an internal disciplinary process led by Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile. This probe, based on data from Matlala's seized devices—including two more phones found at his home—implicated officers in corrupt exchanges. Sessions at the SAPS Tshwane Academy involved reviewing messages on large screens, demanding explanations from those involved.
Even Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya faces scrutiny while on leave. The process aims to root out captured elements in crime intelligence, decentralizing oversight while keeping national control.
As this tale of ambition, betrayal, and downfall unfolds, it raises profound questions about trust in systems meant to protect and serve. What do you think was Cat Matlala's biggest mistake that sealed his fate, and how do you believe such scandals could be prevented in the future?
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