Fifty-two workers, who were employed by Medicare 24, a company owned by alleged murder accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, lost their jobs after the South African Police Service (SAPS) cancelled a R360 million contract to provide health services to its members.
The revelation was made during Matlala’s formal bail application on Tuesday.
He stands accused of orchestrating a hit on actress Tebogo Thobejane in 2023.
Matlala faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.
He is charged alongside four co-accused, including his wife, Tsakani Matlala, who is currently out on bail.
The charges stem from a shooting incident on the N1 highway near Sandton in 2023, during which Thobejane, best known for her role in the television series ‘ Muvhango’ - was shot in the foot.
A female passenger in her vehicle suffered a serious spinal injury.
During Tuesday’s court proceedings, Matlala’s lawyer, Advocate Laurence Hodes SC, read his client’s bail affidavit - who argued that he should be granted bail to properly prepare for trial.
He described himself as an accomplished businessman who is self-employed and the director of four companies.
“I'm self-employed as the director of four companies, namely CAT VIP Protection Pty Ltd, Lux South Africa Investments Pty Ltd, Black AK Trading, and Medicare24 Tshwane District Pty Ltd,” he said.
Matlala said he earns R250,000 per month from his businesses.
“The first three businesses have operated in Pretoria,” he added.
He further explained his residential and business history in the city.
“I have been in Pretoria since September 2021, although their lease agreements were signed by Medicare 24 since it used to operate at this address. Medicare 24 has since moved to a new address in Pretoria since July 2024.”
Matlala said that all employees of Medicare 24, lost their jobs after SAPS cancelled its contract with the company.
“The 52 employees who were employed at Medicare 24, District Tshwane, have all lost their jobs after our contract with the SAPS was summarily cancelled,” he said.
ough a nearly R3 billion Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into suspicious contracts at Tembisa Hospital.
“However, CAT Protection Security additionally employs 12 permanent employees in its office and 30 permanent guards. The office staff at CAT Protection and Security also perform, on an ad hoc basis, other duties of our other companies,” he stated in his affidavit.
Matlala said he owns a property in Midstream Ridge, Ekurhuleni, valued at approximately R6.6 million, and another in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, worth about R1.1 million.
“I have a tenant residing at the latter property in Mamelodi East,” he said.
He also listed luxury vehicles among his assets.
“I own a Mercedes-Benz SUV and six BMW sedans, which have a combined value of approximately R6 million.”
He said he lives at the Midstream Ridge property with his wife and three daughters, while also supporting six additional children.
“I support all nine of my children,” he added.
He valued the household contents, including furniture, appliances and fittings, at R3 million, adding that the home is registered under CAT Protection and Security Pty Ltd, of which he is the sole director.
Matlala also addressed his international interests, saying that he does not have any financial interests or assets in foreign countries.
“I have registered a trading trust in Mauritius with the intention to invest in that country during January 17, 2025. My plans to invest in that country are still at a very early stage. I have not taken them any further and undertake not to pursue them until this matter has been finalised.”
He continued, ‘I do not have family, relatives or friends in any foreign countries. I also do not have any intention to relocate anywhere beyond the borders of RSA.”
“I was the only child to my mother who died in 2005. I currently live with my wife and children.”
Matlala has also been implicated in other high-profile cases, including alleged attempted hits on taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and musician Seunkie “DJ Vetties” Mokubung. He has denied all charges.
In July, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations, claiming Matlala was at the centre of a criminal syndicate operating within the highest levels of state power.
“Mr Matlala financially supported high-ranking politicians, funded gala dinners, and paid for travel expenses in exchange for political cover and interference in investigations,” Mkhwanazi said.
He also implicated suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and his alleged informant Mogotsi Brown.
“Matlala bankrolled Mchunu’s events and provided transport and accommodation for his entourage.”
Mchunu has denied the allegations.
Following Mkhwanazi’s press briefing, President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Mchunu and appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Police Minister.
He also established a commission of inquiry to investigate the claims.
The State requested additional time to respond to the claims presented in Matlala’s affidavit.
Magistrate Dyta Prinsloo granted the postponement, with the bail application scheduled to resume on September 8, 2025.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Social Development Minister Nokuzola Tolashe has warned that the termination of the agreement between the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the Postbank will negatively affect grant beneficiaries.
Tolashe and Sassa management appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development yesterday.
They sought to explain the effect of the termination of the Master Service Agreement between Sassa and the South African Post Office on grant beneficiaries.
Tolashe has appealed to the South African Reserve Bank to closely monitor the migration from the Sassa gold card to the new post office’s black card.
“And we are really appealing to the Reserve Bank to put up their strategy so that we do not get involved in that. Because they have more than once indicated that it’s Sassa’s responsibility where there are financial implications. I accept that Chair … that it’s a lot of work.”
“However, I really want to emphasise that the Reserve Bank can play its game more sharply than it is. That’s my humble plea, Chair. So that in what they are saying it’s in the pipeline, it’s been tough … it’s being processed,” says Tolashe.
*This article was first published by SABC News
Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo is expected to deliver the judgment on the bail application of the former police sergeant and her two accomplices, accused of insurance-related killings.
Rachel Kutumela, her sister Anna Shokane and daughter, Florah Shokane, have been applying for bail since December last year.
They allegedly orchestrated the murders of nine people for insurance payouts amounting to R10 million.
Kutumela faces a total of 32 charges, including nine for murder, fraud and money laundering.
Her co-accused and sister, Anna Shokane, faces three murder charges.
The third accused, Florah Shokane, has been charged with murder, money laundering and fraud.
The court heard the accused transferred funds amongst each other after receiving insurance payouts.
*This article was first published by SABC News
Road Safety Partnership South Africa is calling on motorists to respect the country’s traffic laws.
The organisation was commenting on the recent statistics from the City of Cape Town’s latest traffic records, showing an increase in motorists jumping red lights.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, the city’s Traffic Services recorded more than 2,7 million offences.
The organisation’s chairperson, Eugene Herbert, said it’s clear driver behaviour must be addressed.
“It's shocking to see that motorists take little cognisance of the possible dangers associated with this. Cars coming from the other direction, there could be pedestrian crossing, so if we can appeal to motorists, please do not treat traffic lights just as a suggestion to stop. It is a fact that you must stop, both in your interests, as well as in the interests of other motorists”.
He added that this kind of poor driving behaviour may also happening in other parts of the country.
“This is probably a true reflection of what is happening in the rest of the country. Certainly, in Gauteng, we noticed since the amount of load shedding that took place, traffic lights not working, and we know that the rule because of the congestion that was created, many motorists then took to just making a cursory stop and then moving through.”
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says it’s confident about the new evidence in its case against Digital Vibes and several other companies and their directors, former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, and some of his family members.
The SIU has been given the green light by the Special Tribunal to introduce crucial new evidence in the R150 million Digital Vibes scandal, set to be admitted in court.
The SIU stressed that the affidavit is critical, warning that without it, important details about how public money was laundered through bogus business dealings could be lost.
Investigators say their findings show the Mkhize family, including Dr. Zweli Mkhize’s wife, son and a business associate, personally benefitted from funds meant for COVID-19 and National Health Insurance (NHI) communication contracts.
SIU Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says, “It was very important for us to introduce their affidavit because we wanted to introduce crucial evidence that shows that certain respondents received money without rendering any service and we feel that if this was not introduced therefore the main case we are dealing with might be decided without the kind of information that was gathered after we start the application to the tribunal that’s why it was very important for us to do that.” – Reporting by Ntombi Mavimbela.
*This article was first published by IOL News
A Pakistan government helicopter crashed in the north of the country on Monday, killing all five people on board, a police official said.
The helicopter was carrying out "a test landing on a newly proposed helipad" in a mountainous tourist area when it came down, Abdul Hameed, a senior police officer in Diamer district, told AFP.
"Among the killed were two pilots and three technicians," he said.
The helicopter, which belonged to the Gilgit Baltistan government, crashed in the region's Diamer district around 10:00 am (0500 GMT).
It comes just weeks after a government MI-17 helicopter crashed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province while carrying out flood relief efforts, killing all five crew and pilots.
There have been several deadly helicopter crashes in Pakistan in recent years, including in 2022 when five servicemen and one of the army's top commanders were killed when their helicopter crashed during flood relief operations in southwestern Balochistan province.
*This article was first published by IOL News
