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Matlala’s R228 million Medicare24 tender case postponed as NPA orders fresh review
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s R228 million Medicare24 Tshwane District tender case has been postponed to 17 November 2026, after prosecutors asked for more time to review the charges following the collapse of his proposed plea and sentence agreement.
Matlala appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court on Tuesday, 29 September, where he rejoined his co-accused in the long-running corruption case involving the controversial South African Police Service (SAPS) wellness services contract.
The postponement was granted to allow the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) review process to be completed. Prosecutor Saneel Manilal told the court that National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi had ordered a full review of the matter.
The review is expected to consider the charges and the recommendations of the case assessment team before the matter proceeds.
Why the case was postponed
During Tuesday’s appearance, Manilal asked for a further postponement to allow the NPA’s case assessment team to complete its work.
The prosecution indicated that the assessment team needed time to compile recommendations for the NDPP after an 8 October deadline linked to the review process. The matter was therefore postponed to 17 November.
The development comes at a significant point in the case because Matlala is now back in the main proceedings after his separate plea-and-sentence process collapsed.
The NPA’s decision to review the matter also comes against the backdrop of wider scrutiny of cases previously investigated and prosecuted by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
The R228 million Medicare24 tender
The case centres on a SAPS wellness services contract awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company linked to Matlala.
The tender was initially budgeted at about R360 million, while Matlala’s successful bid was approximately R228 million. Investigators subsequently raised concerns about alleged irregularities surrounding the awarding and administration of the contract.
According to the NPA, the accused face corruption-related charges arising from the alleged irregular awarding of the contract.
At one stage, the State alleged that more than R50 million had been paid under the contract before it was cancelled in May 2025.
The prosecution case has centred on allegations that police officials and people connected to Medicare24 manipulated aspects of the procurement process to enable Matlala’s company to obtain the contract.
Those allegations remain allegations and have not been proved in court.
How Matlala’s plea deal collapsed
Matlala was previously separated from the main case after he entered negotiations with the State for a plea and sentence agreement.
Under the proposed agreement, Matlala had indicated that he would plead guilty to charges including corruption, fraud and money laundering and cooperate with the State.
The agreement was put before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court in July.
On 1 July, Magistrate Ignatius du Preez rejected the proposed sentence as too lenient and indicated that a substantially longer period of direct imprisonment would be appropriate. Reports at the time said the proposed agreement would have resulted in an effective sentence of eight years, while the court indicated that a 12-year direct sentence was more appropriate.
Matlala subsequently declined to proceed on the basis of the sentence indicated by the court.
His plea and sentence agreement was consequently declared null and void, resulting in him returning to the main case.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago previously said the collapse of the agreement did not mean the State lacked confidence in its case.
“We believe there is sufficient evidence to sustain the charges preferred against all the accused in this matter,” Kganyago said.
NPA head Andy Mothibi similarly said the plea process had been a legally recognised mechanism that could have avoided a lengthy trial while securing evidence through a cooperating accused.
Matlala rejoins the other accused
The NPA had earlier confirmed that Matlala and his two companies would be joined again with the other accused in the main Medicare24 matter.
On 7 September, the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court postponed proceedings to 29 September to allow the matter to be transferred to the regional court, where Matlala and his companies could be rejoined with the other accused. The NPA said disclosure of the docket had been completed for all accused.
The prosecution had previously indicated that, following the collapse of the plea agreement, it would prepare an indictment with a view to the matter ultimately being transferred to the High Court for trial.
The 29 September appearance was therefore an important procedural step in bringing Matlala back into the main proceedings.
The Masemola development
The Medicare24 case has also undergone a major change involving suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
Masemola had been charged in connection with the tender, but the NPA announced earlier in September that the charges against him had been withdrawn.
The NPA said the NDPP had considered the evidence gathered during the investigation, a Case Assessment Panel report and an independent senior counsel’s report before concluding that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution against Masemola.
Mothibi said: “Enrolling a case for prosecution where evidence is not sufficient to sustain a successful prosecution is not in the public interest.”
The withdrawal of the charges against Masemola does not automatically dispose of the allegations against the remaining accused. The other accused remain before court and the allegations against them still have to be tested through the criminal justice process.
What happens next
The 17 November appearance is now expected to provide the next significant indication of how the prosecution intends to proceed.
The NPA review will be important because prosecutors must determine how the charges should proceed after Matlala’s return to the main case and amid changes to the accused list.
The case assessment process is also taking place against the background of a broader NPA review of certain IDAC matters following changes within the corruption-fighting unit.
For Matlala, the collapse of the plea agreement means he no longer has the certainty of the negotiated sentence that was previously before court. He is instead back in the main criminal proceedings, where the State must ultimately prove its allegations against him and the remaining accused beyond a reasonable doubt.
For now, the Pretoria court has given prosecutors until the next appearance on 17 November to complete their review and determine the way forward.
Economy
Kaya 959 turns up the heat as Chefs & Chenin talent cooks live on air
Kaya 959 is bringing the flavours of the inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival to its listeners, with some of the chefs taking over the station for a live cooking experience ahead of the two-day culinary celebration.
Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter, Chef Tebogo Morgan and Saviour Moyo will be showcasing their culinary skills on air, giving listeners a taste of what they can expect when Chefs & Chenin takes place at Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The festival is presented in partnership with Kaya 959 and celebrates two distinctly South African passions – cooking over fire and Chenin Blanc.
Bringing the festival to Kaya 959
The live cooking sessions give Kaya 959 listeners an opportunity to get closer to the chefs and the food that will form part of the festival experience.
Rather than simply talking about what is coming, the chefs are putting their skills on display in the Kaya 959 studio, building anticipation for a weekend where food will be cooked over open flames and paired with South Africa’s much-loved Chenin Blanc.
The festival is designed as a celebration of food, wine, music and local creativity, with a Harvest Market, live entertainment, kids’ activities and an art exhibition also forming part of the programme.
Meet the chefs
Chef Mahalia Jackson brings more than three decades of experience in the culinary industry to the line-up. She is an executive chef, entrepreneur and published author, and has been the managing director of Added Touch Catering & Events since 2005.
Her career has included major corporate events and high-profile gatherings, with Jackson also having served guests including former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and international diplomats. She is also the author of Dare to Dream, a recipe book and memoir which won an African Authors Award in the Food Category.
Jacques Venter has built a career across different parts of Johannesburg’s culinary scene. According to his Chefs & Chenin profile, he began his career in 2003 as a commis chef at The Castle Kyalami before progressing to sous chef.
His experience has included fine dining at Roots restaurant at Forum Homini, work at Coco C in Bloemfontein and a stint at the Radisson Blu Sandton, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef. Since 2019, he has been part of the Pick n Pay group as a food specialist at Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme restaurant.
Chef Tebogo Morgan, the chef behind CRAVINGS, Gourmet Rainbow Cuisine, brings a fusion approach to the festival. Born in Mthatha and raised in Johannesburg, Morgan trained through the International Chef Management Diploma at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town.
His culinary style, which he describes as “Fire & Fusion”, brings together Asian and Mediterranean influences with open-fire cooking.
Saviour Moyo, who is also associated with Saint Restaurant Sandton, rounds out the group of chefs appearing as part of the Kaya 959 activation.
More than just food
Chefs & Chenin is being positioned as an experience rather than a conventional food festival.
General access tickets include a tasting meal at a pop-up restaurant of the guest’s choice, where chefs will showcase their food through live-fire cooking. There will also be curated Chenin Blanc tastings, alongside the Harvest Market, live music and entertainment for children.
The festival’s focus on open-fire cooking also taps into a familiar South African food tradition, while the Chenin Blanc element highlights one of the country’s most important wine varieties.
With Kaya 959 providing the radio platform and the chefs bringing the food to life on air, the build-up is giving audiences a preview of what awaits at Crawford International Sandton College.
Chefs & Chenin takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
