The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court has postponed the fraud and corruption case involving 16 accused linked to an alleged irregular R228 million SAPS health and wellness tender awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane, a company reportedly connected to alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The accused include suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and 12 senior South African Police Service (South African Police Service) officers. They face charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering, and contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act.
The State alleges the tender process was unlawful, including being advertised for less than the required 21-day period without proper approval or justification for deviation. Prosecutors further claim that key accused Captain Brian Cartwright concealed prior arrangements with Matlala and allegedly used Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) fronting practices to secure the contract.
The case is linked to broader allegations involving Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who pleaded guilty to charges in a separate matter at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and is reported to have implicated some of the officers involved.
The matter is expected to return to court in August for further proceedings, including the finalisation of docket disclosure and related processes.