- Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Scroll down for the latest updates as more information becomes available.
JOHANNESBURG - Twelve senior police officials and a company director arrested for corruption in Pretoria will appear in court on Wednesday.
They allegedly took part in an irregular tender awarded to Cat Matlala's Medicare24 Tshwane District.
The R360-million contract, awarded in June 2024 for health risk management, was granted to a company that lacked a valid license and full compliance with tender requirements.
The suspects face charges of corruption, fraud, and contravening the Public Finance Management Act.
UPDATE | Medicare24 managing director arrested
The Managing Director of Medicare24 has also been arrested and will be joining the 12 senior SAPS officials in the dock on Wednesday.
BREAKING: Managing director of the Medicare24 Group, has been arrested.
NOTE: Theres Medicare24 holding - Mike Van Wyk is CEO
Then there's Medicare24 Tshwane District where Matlala was director.#MadlangaCommision @eNCA @Abramjee— Pule Letshwiti-Jones (@pule_jones) March 25, 2026
UPDATE | Court proceedings expected to begin soon
Proceedings are expected to begin shortly at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.
While it has not been officially confirmed, speculation is rife that the managing director who will be joining the 12 senior SAPS officials in the dock is alleged criminal kingpin Vusumuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
Matlala is the managing director of Medicare24 Tshwane District at the center of a R360-million fraudulent tender scandal involving the South African Police Service.
Matlala's wife and attorney have also been spotted inside the court room.
[SPOTTED] #VusimuziMatlala's wife is at the court for the appearance of 12 officers... #eNCA pic.twitter.com/5KFwaVRvmK
— Silindelo Sebata (@Sli_Masikane) March 25, 2026
UPDATE | 'Cat' Matlala linked cops in court
The 12 accused have now entered the court room. Among them is SAPS Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, a senior official in SAPS Forensic Services. It has now also been confirmed that Matlala is accused number one in the case.
BREAKING #VusimuziMatlala is accused 1 in the fraud and corruption case where 12 officers have been arrested. He has not arrived in court... proceedings may continue without him however his lawyer is here.
Some of the accused in the dock.#eNCA pic.twitter.com/ygUqV3RFeU— Silindelo Sebata (@Sli_Masikane) March 25, 2026
NOW: "Lovers" Rachel Matjeng (SAPS) and Vusimusi Cat Matlala exchange words before court proceedings get underway. @eNCA pic.twitter.com/qXpfmrnUJK
— Pule Letshwiti-Jones (@pule_jones) March 25, 2026
UPDATE | Full list of accused
The 16 accused are now before the court. The state has opposed bail for Matlala as he is facing serious charges in other matters. Bail is not opposed for other accused.
Here is a full list of the accused, two companies have also been charged:
James Murray
Brian Cartright
Rachel Matjeng
Alpheus Ngema
Nyimeleni Nethengwe
Tunisia Maleka
Medicare24 Tshwane Districts
Luxo African Brand Investments
Busiswa Themba
Kirtsy Jonker
Petunia Lenono
Ofentse Tlhaole
Nonjabulo Mngadi
Anton Paulsen
Natsengae Monyai
UPDATE | The court has heard that accused number 7, Tunisia Maleka, is out on bail for a different matter.
The legal representative for Jonker who is accused number 11 in the matter said his client did not know the case against her.
UPDATE | State opposes bail for Matlala
The State is now reading into the record an affidavit deposed by a senior criminal investigator Suneel Bellochun.
In the affidavit, Bellochun states that while he is opposed to bail for Matlala, he would not contest the granting of bail for the other accused.
The state is opposing bail for #VusimuziMatlala but is not opposing bail for the other accused. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/D9rX0SM2GX
— Silindelo Sebata (@Sli_Masikane) March 25, 2026
UPDATE | In his affidavit, Bellochun suggests that in the interest of justice, bail for accused 2, 3, 4 and 7 can be set at R80,000 each, while bail for accused 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 can be set at R40, 000 each.
UPDATE | James Murray lawyer says suggested R80k bail 'too high'
The attorney for James Murray, who is accused number 2 in this matter tells the court his client will not afford the proposed amount of R80,000 for bail.
“Bail should not be treated as some sort of anticipatory punishment. The proposed amount itself suggests punishment. The ultimate point of bail monies is merely to secure the attendance of the accused on the next court appearance.”
The legal representative says his client had fully cooperated with investigators, even providing the investigating officer with his location.
“For that reason, we suggest that R80, 000 is quite high. He will attend to this case, and he will be present at the next appearance. He has cooperated at all material times when he was required.”
UPDATE | The legal representatives for accused number 5 and 6 also submit that their clients will only be able to afford R10,000 bail. He pleads with the court not to deny her client bail by fixing a bail amount that she cannot afford.
UPDATE | The attorney representing accused number 13 says the State’s case against his client is week.