The shadows of corruption often stretch long and wide, entangling individuals and institutions in a web of deceit. In South Africa, a nation grappling with the legacy of state capture, a new narrative has emerged, one that speaks to the audacious infiltration of its very law enforcement.
This is the story of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a man whose ambition allegedly led him to rent a police clinic, securing a massive R360 million tender, and in doing so, seemingly capturing the heart of the South African Police Service, or SAPS. His tale is a stark reminder that the battle against corruption is far from over, merely changing its face. This documentary, "Cat Matlala's Secret Clinic: How One Man Rented a Police Station to Steal R360 Million," delves into the very core of this audacious scheme, setting the stage for a story of unprecedented influence and alleged illicit gain.
At the center of this unfolding drama is Vusimuzi Matlala, known to many simply as “Cat.” His company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, was awarded a R360 million contract for health services to the SAPS in mid-2024. Investigations revealed that Matlala had rented a SAPS medical clinic in Pretoria West six months before his company was even awarded the lucrative R360 million tender. This lease was later terminated by Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson in January 2026.
Investigations into the R360 million SAPS tender revealed irregularities, fraud, fronting, and collusion. An internal audit, conducted in January 2025, explicitly warned National Commissioner Fannie Masemola about these issues, advising him to cancel the tender. Before its eventual cancellation in late 2025 or early 2026, amid mounting scandals, a significant sum of taxpayer money, estimated to be between R48 million and R50 million, had already been disbursed to Matlala’s company.
One of the most striking revelations involved Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, an official within the police’s finance section, who was allegedly in a romantic relationship with Matlala. Investigations uncovered instances of Matlala making payments to her, including a sum of R38,000 in January 2025. Further implicating officials was Captain Brian Cartwright, identified as a facilitator of the tender from the SAPS supply chain. Even a Crime Intelligence officer, Colonel Smanga Simelane, was reportedly sponsored by Matlala for an African National Congress, or ANC, gala trip.
The tentacles of Matlala’s alleged state capture reached even higher, touching upon former Police Minister Bheki Cele. Reports detailed secret meetings between Matlala and Minister Cele at a luxurious villa in Zimbali, owned by Morgan Maumela, a figure known as a tender don from Tembisa Hospital. Furthermore, Minister Cele was said to have stayed at Matlala’s exclusive penthouse in a Pretoria hotel.
Matlala’s name also surfaced in connection with the notorious Tembisa Hospital contracts, a scandal that had already claimed the life of whistleblower Babita Deokaran. Matlala’s companies, often linked to the syndicate led by Morgan Maumela, had secured contracts worth R5 million at Tembisa Hospital.
In 2018, Matlala was arrested in Sandton alongside individuals linked to Radovan Krejcir, a notorious crime boss. More recently, Matlala was implicated in masterminding a botched hit on his former lover, socialite Tebogo Thobejane, in 2023. He was also linked to other botched hits, including those targeting taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni, known as “Joe Ferrari,” and DJ Vettys.
As of early 2026, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala faces a litany of charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering, and fraud. The case of Cat Matlala serves as a potent symbol of the ongoing struggle against state capture in South Africa. It reveals how deeply entrenched corruption can become, permeating various levels of government and law enforcement.
What are your thoughts on how individuals like Cat Matlala manage to infiltrate state institutions to this extent, and what measures do you believe are most effective in preventing such widespread corruption in the future? Share your insights in the comments below.
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