Alleged crime boss Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. eNCA/Silindelo Sebata
JOHANNESBURG - The state’s plea deal with alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala is being hailed as a breakthrough in the R228-million SAPS healthcare tender scandal.
Matlala faces eight years in prison, but investigators say his real value is in cooperating with the state and providing evidence against other suspects.
He has pleaded guilty to fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
Forensic investigation, Chad Thomas said members of the public should look at the big picture when considering Matlala’s case.
"This specific plea bargain, which is very much a cooperation agreement, is only in respect of Medicare 24. It doesn't speak to other cases that are currently under investigation, it doesn't speak to the case involving KT Molefe and the attempted assassination that has already been enrolled and he is standing trial for, so he may very well be sentenced on other cases.
“The fact that he didn't get the prescribed 15 years and it was reduced in terms of the suspension by seven years, leaving an effective eight years, is still a good result because he is a cog in this ecosystem of corruption and he's going to now assist the state, specifically the wellness tender, to bring down those that were implicated.
“So all in all, I don't think the public should be despondent that they see it as just an eight-year sentence; they should see it as a very good development in respect of what we've seen come out of Ad Hoc, Madlanga, IDAC and other law enforcement agencies."