PRETORIA – The multi-million-rand Medicare24 Tshwane District case involving alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has been postponed to 29 September.
Matlala made a brief appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where it was confirmed that he would now rejoin the 14 other accused in the case. The appearance was intended to transfer Matlala back to the regional court after he withdrew from plea-and-sentence deal with the State.
The case centres on allegations of corruption linked to a South African Police Service (SAPS) health-services contract worth up to R228 million.
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Matlala’s case had previously been separated from the main matter after he entered into a plea agreement with the State. However, the agreement ultimately collapsed over the proposed sentence.
Matlala rejected a 12-year term of direct imprisonment, saying he was prepared to accept an eight-year sentence.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the charges against suspended national police commissioner Fannie Masemola were withdrawn following a review of the evidence.
Masemola had been charged alongside Matlala and the other accused in connection with the Medicare24 healthcare tender.