Suspended national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola
Image: Oupa Mokoena/ANA Studio
Access to Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's plea deal is being sought by lawyers in the corruption case against suspended police chief Fannie Masemola and 13 co-accused.
They appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday, where the state said it also wants to amend the charges against the accused.
The lawyers requested access to additional information, including the docket.
Most handed over USB drives to receive copies, but not all had done so by the time the case was heard.
Masemola was charged with four counts of contravening the Public Finance Management Act for his alleged failure to fulfil his duties as an accounting officer.
His co-accused face charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering.
The charges relate to the alleged irregular awarding of a R228m SAPS health services tender to Matlala's company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.
The contract was initially budgeted at about R360m but ultimately awarded for about R228m.
It is the state's case that at least R50m was paid out before the contract was cancelled in May 2025.
Matlala was separated from the group on Wednesday.
A plea and sentencing agreement between Matlala and the state was put before the court on Thursday.
This followed two months of negotiations.
In terms of the agreement, he pleaded guilty to all seven charges against him including fraud, corruption and money laundering.
He will now turn state witness against his former co-accused.
The state and Matlala's legal team proposed he be sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, with seven years suspended.
This means, if accepted, he would serve eight years behind bars.
His companies, Cat VIP Protection and Medicare Tshwane, were each fined R1m.
The magistrate is expected to rule on whether to accept the agreement on July 1.
The state also wants to amend the charges against the remaining accused.
Masemola has denied the charges against him.
They are expected back in court on August 28.
IOL