News24 | 9 LIVES | How the ‘Cat’ captured the heart of the SAPS

Jeff Wicks – News24 Investigations

News24's investigation spanned months and exposed how tenderpreneur Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala steered a web of influence reaching the highest echelons of South African policing.

After securing a R360-million SAPS health services tender, despite zero qualifications, amid allegations of fraud, fronting and collusion, Matlala's tentacles extended to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and former Minister Bheki Cele.

The latter had the run of Matlala's glitzy Pretoria penthouse – and enjoyed Matlala's trappings of wealth, paid for by state procurement.

Our 9 LIVES investigation revealed how Matlala – previously flagged by murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran for suspicious Tembisa Hospital contracts – funded an extravagant lifestyle of Rolls-Royces, designer clothing, and mansions, while his company Medicare24 failed to deliver services and left employees unpaid.

KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's bombshell revelations detailed how Matlala allegedly paid Mchunu to disband a police task team investigating his role in the attempted murder of his former lover, actress Tebogo Thobejane.

This multi-layered investigation traced the deadly intersection of tender fraud, political protection, and criminal violence – showing how R50 million in taxpayer money disappeared while officials looked away, creating the most significant police scandal since Jackie Selebi's downfall.