Controversial Tender Kingpin Loses Clinic Lease Amidst Police Capture Claims
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has terminated the lease agreement for a clinic on South African Police Service (SAPS) property held by Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, an individual embroiled in allegations of police capture and a controversial health tender.
Matlala, a figure previously implicated in the Tembisa Hospital looting, had secured the lease a mere six months before his company, Medicare24 Tswane District, was awarded a questionable R360-million police health services tender in June 2024. News24 had previously reported on the circumstances surrounding the tender, which has since been cancelled.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Matlala has also been arrested and faces multiple charges of attempted murder, including allegations related to his former partner, Tebogo Thobejane.
The lease agreement, which cost the department R46 million to renovate the 750m² building, amounted to R40,000 per month and was initially set to run until the end of December 2029.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure had previously informed News24 that the lease agreement was under scrutiny. On Friday, the department released a statement confirming the cancellation of the lease, citing "serious allegations relating to the manner in which the lease was awarded."
The statement further elaborated that an investigation had concluded that the lease "could not lawfully come into operation." Moreover, the property is now required by the police "for service delivery purposes."
Minister Dean Macpherson has vowed to ensure accountability for any officials implicated in the awarding of the lease. "We will also work closely with law enforcement agencies and hand over any information relating to possible criminality to ensure that those responsible face the full might of the law," Macpherson stated.
The cancellation of the lease and the ongoing investigations underscore the seriousness of the allegations surrounding Matlala and the awarding of the police health services tender. The focus now shifts to ensuring that those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable and that the SAPS has the resources it needs for effective service delivery.
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