THE failed plea deal of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is back in the spotlight after the Madlanga Commission ordered lawyers to clarify what evidence can be used during his upcoming testimony. Matlala is getting ready for two days in the hot seat at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday, 9 November, and Tuesday, 10 November.
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Before he faces the commission, his legal team and the commission’s evidence leaders must settle a major legal question about his collapsed plea and sentence agreement.
In a ruling dated Saturday, 7 November, commission chairman Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga ordered both sides to submit written arguments on Section 105A(10) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
This section looks at the legal meaning of a plea and sentence agreement, and the commission wants clarity on how it applies to the questions Matlala will face.
Both parties have until 5pm on Sunday, 8 November, to submit arguments of no more than 15 pages.
This directive follows Matlala’s previous appearance in August, when he repeatedly used his right against self-incrimination while being questioned about the controversial South African Police Service (SAPS) healthcare tender and his alleged dealings with senior police officials.
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In June, Matlala signed a Section 105A plea and sentence agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), admitting to fraud, corruption, and money laundering connected to the Medicare24 contract.
Under the deal, he was supposed to testify against his co-accused, including senior police officials.
However, the deal collapsed in July after the court rejected the proposed eight-year sentence as too lenient, saying a 12-year prison term was more appropriate. Matlala then withdrew from the agreement, making his guilty plea fall away.
The commission has since debated whether statements and documents from those failed plea talks can be used in its hearings. This new ruling requires both sides to explain Section 105A(10), which will heavily influence the questions Matlala answers next week.
The R228 million tender in question was awarded to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, in 2024.
The tender was originally budgeted at around R360 million but was cancelled in May 2025 following an internal audit that flagged irregularities.
By the time it was scrapped, the company had already received about R50 million.
This controversial contract is a central focus of investigations into corruption, fraud, and money laundering involving Matlala and police bosses. Reinstated National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola was initially charged over the tender, but those charges were later withdrawn.
Matlala has also faced questions regarding his alleged ties to organised crime and senior police officials, though these claims have not yet been fully tested in court.
The Madlanga Commission is investigating criminality, political interference, and corruption within Mzansi’s criminal justice system.
Public hearings resume on 9 November, and the commission is expected to hand its final report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 25 January 2027.
