PRETORIA - Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala has pleaded guilty to all seven charges in the R228-million SAPS tender corruption case linked to his company, Medicare24.
Matlala faced seven charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering relating to the controversial tender after consulting with prosecutors for two months to enter into a plea deal.
He will now turn state witness.
Matlala made a brief appearance in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Thursday.
The State and Matlala have agreed that the court deviates from minimum sentence and for the businessman's sentences to run concurrently.
The agreed sentence is 15 years direct imprisonment with seven years suspended.
Th State says Matlala has drafted a statement which disclosed the involvement of several high-profile people involved in the matter and other such matters.
His case has been separated from the main fraud and corruption proceedings linked to the Medicare24 tender and will now proceed independently in the regional court.