Leaked Affidavit Details Alleged Corruption Linked to South African Police

A leaked draft affidavit prepared by businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has brought to light extensive allegations of corruption, bribery, and illicit arrangements involving senior law enforcement officials and high-ranking political figures in South Africa. The document emerged as part of a proposed plea agreement and state witness arrangement negotiated between Matlala and the National Prosecuting Authority.

The plea deal ultimately fell apart when the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court rejected the initial terms. Presiding Magistrate Ignatius du Preez ruled that the proposed eight-year prison sentence was inadequate given the scale of the alleged corruption, concluding that Matlala's cooperation functioned more as a bargaining tool than a sign of genuine remorse. The court instead proposed a 12-year sentence, prompting Matlala and his defense team to reject the terms and withdraw from the agreement.

Within the detailed draft affidavit, Matlala outlines various corrupt transactions tied to a lucrative medical services contract awarded to his company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District. He claims he made substantial cash payments and provided luxury items to secure and maintain the tender. These alleged arrangements involve former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, whom Matlala accuses of requesting money, animal livestock, and a four-million-rand property purchase in Midrand before Matlala ultimately abandoned the deal.

Matlala also alleges deep political connections, claiming former police minister Bheki Cele assisted him following police raids on his home and business premises. According to the affidavit, Matlala agreed to a one-million-rand payment to Cele and handed over cash installments in exchange for intervention regarding his police troubles and the Medicare contract. While Cele has publicly denied receiving cash from Matlala, he acknowledged staying at Matlala's penthouse free of charge.

Furthermore, the affidavit implicates former deputy public works minister Bernice Swarts in an alleged scheme to help Matlala secure a lease to operate a hospital on the South African Police Service campus in Tshwane, positioning his business for future National Health Insurance contracts. Matlala claims he paid thousands of rands through intermediaries to facilitate the lease. Swarts has strongly denied the allegations, stating she never met Matlala and was not involved in departmental administrative matters.

The explosive document further details financial kickbacks and improper relationships involving several other prominent police officials, including Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Major-General Sandrah Thema, who allegedly demanded cash and facilitated hospital leasing schemes. Matjeng faces separate fraud and corruption charges connected to the massive Medicare24 contract and has since been dismissed from the South African Police Service.

The allegations contained in Matlala's draft affidavit have not yet been fully established or tested in court. Many of the implicated officials, including Cele and Swarts, have disputed or ignored the claims as the broader fallout from the failed plea agreement continues to ripple through South Africa's legal and political landscapes.