Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala was already under scrutiny when his company, Medicare24, secured a multimillion-rand tender from the South African Police Service (SAPS). Police acknowledgment of the matter follows a court appearance in which a dozen officers, alongside Matlala and one of his employees, faced charges including fraud and corruption. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) alleges that Matlala, with the assistance of 13 co-accused, fraudulently obtained the tender by falsely claiming that Medicare24 had the capacity to provide the required services—capacity it did not possess. “I think he had 18 cases either withdrawn or pending against him,…

Twelve individuals—most of them police officers—appeared before a court in Pretoria following their arrest in the capital. The group was detained in connection with a R360 million police tender awarded to Medicare 24, a company owned by alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. The contract has since been cancelled. In a statement, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed the arrests:“The NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption has arrested 12 senior police officers and a company director in relation to the irregular awarding of a tender to Medicare 24.” An employee of Medicare 24 is also among the accused, who are…

Sergeant Fannie Nkosi has once again caused a stir at the Madlanga Commission after WhatsApp messages revealed his claim that criminal accused Vusimuzi Cat Matlala may have met with Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Last week, the commission heard Nkosi suggest that Action SA, EFF, and the ANC were benefiting from the alleged rigging of tenders at the City of Tshwane. Nkosi has repeatedly dropped names without context, and this time, when questioned, he failed to provide clarity. “I would not want to be in his mind. I’m thinking he wanted his card because he wanted to use it,” Nkosi said…

The government has expressed regret over the preventable deaths that occurred at various health-care facilities in Gauteng and stated that measures are already underway to improve services, ensure patient safety, and prevent future fatalities. On Monday, a high-profile government delegation received a report from the Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, which concluded that several deaths—including those of a mental health patient and an infant—were avoidable. The Ombud found that a combination of non-adherence to established protocols and inadequate facilities contributed to these deaths. The following are some of the key findings presented by the Ombud during a media briefing attended…

The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) has committed to taking corrective action for employees who were dismissed after exposing maladministration within the organisation. Lehloma Ramajoe, Thandi Mkhize, and Tshepiso Mofokeng were previously dismissed after reporting alleged irregularities at the entity. However, following a recent investigation conducted under administration, their claims have now been substantiated. Administrator Lehlogonolo Masoga, speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, emphasized the importance of protecting whistleblowers rather than punishing them. “We cannot accept that those who speak out against corruption are victimised and targeted. The Whistleblower Protection Bill will be introduced in Parliament to…

Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has expressed shock following revelations at the Madlanga Commission suggesting that the municipality may have been infiltrated by criminal networks. Moya was responding to recent testimony alleging that Sergeant Fannie Nkosi collaborated with the city’s Chief Financial Officer, Gareth Mnisi, and Deputy Police Chief, General Umashi Dhlamini, to manipulate tender processes. The scheme reportedly favoured companies linked to the individuals involved, as well as entities allegedly associated with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA. EFF leader Julius Malema was also referenced in text messages presented at the inquiry. In one exchange, Dhlamini allegedly instructed Nkosi…

Hundreds of young employees hired by the Department of Home Affairs to digitise files are demanding permanent appointments, rejecting plans to outsource their work to a private company. The protest took place at the department’s offices in Pretoria, organised by pressure group Soil of Africa, led by founder Bongani Ramontja. “We are demanding that these employees be appointed permanently instead of outsourcing their work. These young people have been doing excellent work since 2022 and currently have no UIF, pension, or medical aid. They deserve to be hired,” said Ramontja. The affected staff, employed part-time since 2022, have been responsible…

A showdown is once again underway of the Various factions of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in the High Court in Pretoria. A new group wants the court to interdict leaders of the three factions from continuing to call themselves legitimate leaders of the church. The new group, led by a Namibia based priest wants the court to bar the three leaders from referring themselves as comforter arguing the late Bishop Glayton Modise never anointed a successor. The group believes the church’s now divided 7 member executive committee should be directed to appoint a single successor in order to unite…

A civilian, Ze Nxumalo, appears to have exercised extensive control over police operations, including investigations. Cellphone records presented at the Madlanga Commission on Monday revealed that Nxumalo maintained frequent contact with several officers, keeping them updated on Khawula’s movements and directing their actions. One officer reportedly acting on Nxumalo’s instructions is Sergeant Fannie Nkosi. Authorities believe Nkosi served as a go-between for suspended Deputy National Commissioner Major-General Shadrack Sibiya, as well as alleged criminal masterminds Katiso KT Molefe and Vusimuzi Cat Matlala, among others. Nkosi testified at the inquiry on Monday, admitting to most of the activities he and other…

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief, Rudzani Maphwanya, has vowed that the military will confront criminal groups with decisive force. Maphwanya, who addressed the media alongside National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, said the state maintains the sole authority to use force and warned that those operating outside the law would face firm action. “We will show criminal elements that this is a state governed by law, and we will enforce that law and order by any means necessary,” said Maphwanya. The joint media briefing followed the decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy approximately 2,000 SANDF members to areas…