BREAKING NEWS: Multiple Suspects, Including 'Cat' Matlala, Face Corruption Charges Over Medicare24 SAPS Contract

Multiple suspects, including businessman Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala, are set to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court today, facing charges related to the irregular awarding of a R360 million SAPS health services tender to Medicare24 Tshwane District. Twelve senior police officers and a company director were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the contract, with allegations of corruption, fraud, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

Those arrested include Brigadier Petunia Lenono, a former decorated police brigadier who resigned three weeks before the tender was awarded, as well as Major General Busisiwe Temba, Brigadier Kirsty Jonker, and Brigadier Ofentse Thlhoale, among others. The contract was cancelled in December last year, and the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has been investigating the matter.

Matlala, who owns Medicare24 Tshwane District, is already facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, money laundering, and defeating the ends of justice, related to the shooting of his former lover, actress Tebogo Thobejane, in 2023.