The National Prosecuting Authority says it has not entered into any plea agreement with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Image: Itumeleng English
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says engagements with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala are ongoing and it has denied reports that the murder accused businessman has entered into a plea agreement with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
This follows reports that Matlala was negotiating a plea deal in exchange for information that could implicate several individuals in a major corruption investigation linked to his company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said no plea agreement discussions had taken place.
“When we were in court last Monday, it was stated in open court that there were engagements between the IDAC and accused number one in the case, Cat Matlala,” Kganyago told SABC News.
“That is exactly what is happening - engagements. At this stage, we cannot say whether those engagements will lead to a plea agreement or anything else.”
The case centres on a R228 million tender allegedly irregularly awarded by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.
The developments follow media reports claiming Matlala felt abandoned after suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and senior police officials allegedly failed to protect him from arrest during a SAPS raid on his home and offices.
Matlala recently appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court alongside senior police officers facing corruption and fraud charges linked to the tender.
Suspended SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who is among the accused, faces four charges, including contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, money laundering and other financial offences.
According to reports, Matlala’s legal team approached IDAC with information allegedly linking senior police officials and politicians to wrongdoing.
Kganyago said prosecutors had requested a postponement to verify information provided during the first phase of engagements with Matlala.
“We requested a postponement so that we can verify certain facts that were presented. There will then be a second engagement,” he said.
“Any suggestion that there is already a plea agreement between us and Mr Matlala is false. People are pre-empting the engagement process.”
Asked whether the discussions were taking place within the statutory framework governing plea negotiations, Kganyago said the engagements were formal processes, although not yet plea negotiations.
“I would not call them informal. These engagements are the reason the matter was postponed,” he said.
“There are processes that still need to take place, including engagement with the National Director of Public Prosecutions. Any decision must be made within the confines of the law.”
Kganyago said there should be no assumption that any agreement would automatically allow Matlala to avoid prosecution.
“We do not want people, including the media, to pre-empt outcomes before they happen,” he said.
“Such speculation could affect the process if someone was willing to enter into an agreement and information is prematurely made public.”
He reiterated that no agreement had been reached.
“At the moment, there is no agreement. There are only engagements taking place. Depending on the legal merits and the information provided, there may or may not be an agreement in future,” he said.
The matter was postponed to June 26, 2026, for further investigation.
The state is expected to disclose the docket to the accused and may amend the charge sheet following Masemola’s inclusion in the case.
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