By Charles Molele
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on Tuesday night arrested 12 senior police officers, including generals, in connection with a R360 million health contract linked to alleged crime kingpin Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District.
Several sources close to the investigation said that the arrested officers were members of the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC).
It is also understood that a former senior employee of Matlala has been arrested.
The accused are expected to make their first appearance in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on charges of corruption, fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
The contract, awarded in 2024, has been central to proceedings before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, as well as the Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi into claims of criminal network infiltration within the justice system.
Matlala, who is currently in custody, received payments of up to R50 million linked to the contract.
The three-year agreement was intended to provide health services to the police’s 180,000 employees.
“The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has effected the arrest of 12 senior police officers and a company director in relation to the irregular awarding of a tender to Medicare 24,” said NPA national spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
“All accused are expected to make their first appearance before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on charges of corruption, fraud and contravention of the PFMA [Public Finance Management Act].”
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