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PRETORIA - Brigadier Rachel Matjeng appeared with 15 others at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
Matjeng and the others are arrested for corruption in Pretoria.
At the Madlanga Commission, Matjeng was said to have overseen Medicare24's tender process. At the Commission, it came to light that a number of irregularities were found in the application, the bidder was not compliant. As such, the tender was terminated.
Medicare24's director is businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. The company was awarded a R360-million contract in June 2024 for health risk management. It was granted to Medicare24 despite it lacking a valid license and full compliance with tender requirements.
Matlala appeared as accused number one at the court. Him, Matjeng and the other suspects face charges of corruption, fraud, and contravening the Public Finance Management Act.
Matjeng told the Commission that Matlala was her on-and-off lover. She alleged that their relationship started in 2017.
READ: Brigadier details on and off relationship with ‘romantic’ Matlala
She described Matlala as ‘romantic’ and while they were in a relationship, in her knowledge, Matlala was never arrested or convicted of any criminal offences.
Matjeng revealed that Matlala would often shower her with gifts and money. When probed, she denied helping Matlala secure the controversial R360-million SAPS tender contract.
READ: Police official tells Madlanga Commission she used relationship with ‘Cat’ Matlala to benefit SAPS
She told the Commission that she had requested two people to vet Matlala for her. Mantjeng conceded that when the allegations against Matlala surfaced and up to the date of his arrest, she did become aware of his alleged crimes.