Brigadier Matjeng Says She Was “Sad” After Cat Matlala Lost R360m SAPS Contract,she confessed at Madlanga Commission
Pretoria, Gauteng – Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, a senior officer in charge of quality management for police forensic services, has opened up at the Madlanga Commission about feeling deep sadness when businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company lost a massive R360 million contract to provide health checks for officers, explaining it hurt because the deal helped keep cops safe from job risks, all while sharing details of their romantic bond that has raised big questions about mixing personal ties with work duties.
Matjeng’s Emotional Response to the Contract Loss
In her time on the stand, Matjeng shared how the news hit her hard when the South African Police Service pulled the plug on the agreement with Medicare24 in late 2024. She said, “I was sad” because the programme was key for spotting health dangers early for officers handling tough stuff like crime scenes and chemicals. Without it, she worried many would miss out on needed tests, leaving them at risk for illnesses tied to their work.
The contract, worth R360 million over three years, aimed to roll out regular medical surveillance across police spots. It covered things like blood work, lung checks, and other screenings to catch issues from exposure to hazards. Matjeng’s role put her right in the mix, overseeing quality to make sure the services met standards. She joined meetings from 2017 on to fix early glitches, like lining up test gear and spots for officers.
But the deal faced heat from the start, with claims of fast-tracked payments and undue pull. When it got cancelled, Matjeng felt the blow not just for the service gap but perhaps personally too, given her close link to Matlala. Her words have sparked debate on whether her feelings showed a conflict, blurring lines between her job and private life.
Revelations About the Romantic Relationship
Matjeng laid bare an “on and off” romance with Matlala that kicked off around 2017, just as his firm eyed police work. She described him as humble, kind, and generous, showering her with gifts and cash during rough patches, like when her son faced troubles. To keep things quiet from his wife, money came through friends’ accounts, hiding the transfers.
She insisted these were loving acts, not bribes tied to the contract. Matjeng told her boss about the bond early and asked to step back from watching the deal to avoid any mix-up. But chats between them, shown at the hearing, mixed sweet notes with work pleas—like pushing for quicker payments when Medicare hit delays. The commission chair noted how messages came off stiff and business-like, doubting if it was truly romantic or a cover for other dealings.
Matjeng held her ground, saying the formal tone came from work habits, but the panel pressed on how it all looked. This has led to referrals for more probes into whether rules on gifts and ties got broken, checking if personal perks swayed official choices.
Helping with Claims and Personal Requests
Beyond feelings, Matjeng admitted stepping in to let Matlala’s firm claim cash for about 140 officers who never showed for their health slots. These no-shows meant missed tests, but she helped verify bills to keep the programme afloat. She justified it as fixing a messy setup with poor tracking, but it has raised flags about loose oversight, possibly leading to overpayments without real proof of services.
In a lighter but telling moment, Matjeng shared asking Matlala for help getting Ozempic, a diabetes drug often used for weight loss, through his company. She needed about R4,000 for it and turned to him because Medicare dealt in health supplies. This personal ask came amid denials of bigger perks, like rumours of a Brazilian Butt Lift—she laughed those off, saying, “I did not get the BBL,” just the Ozempic to manage her health.
These bits show how their bond wove into work, with Matjeng denying any sway on the tender award. Still, the panel questioned if her help with claims or other fixes gave unfair edges, especially as payments got rushed amid claims of kickbacks.
The Scrapped R360 Million Tender and Wider Claims
The Medicare24 deal, snagged in June 2024, promised wellness services for police nationwide but hit snags like missing certificates and slow rollouts in areas like Tshwane. Matjeng’s unit pushed for improvements, but whispers of graft grew. Matlala poured R10 million in, with some flowing back, tying into claims he acted as an “enabler” for crime networks pulling strings in justice spots.
He now faces raps for murder plots, money washing, and more, linked to hits on informers who spilled on these messes. Witnesses point to him using bonds like Matjeng’s to bend rules, fast-tracking cash while probes lagged. Matlala even claimed giving former Police Minister Bheki Cele over R500,000, refusing later meets because he felt “tired of being milked.” Cele has denied wrongdoing, but it adds layers to the rot claims.
The commission has flagged these for criminal digs, aiming to clean up a system where personal ties might have let syndicates snag hold.
Matjeng’s Efforts to Save the Contract
Despite sadness over the loss, Matjeng said she actually pushed to stop the police from “bleeding millions” to Matlala when glitches piled up. She joined talks to fix issues, like better tracking for tests and payments. When no-shows became a headache, her verifications aimed to balance keeping services going without wasteful spends.
This stance shows her trying to do her job right, but critics wonder if the romance clouded calls. Matjeng recused herself once the bond restarted, but the timeline fuzz leaves doubts. Her testimony has split views: some see a dedicated officer caught in a web, others a case of undue favour.
The Madlanga Commission’s Broader Probe
Started in 2025 to uncover crime, politics, and graft in justice ranks, the commission keeps peeling back layers. Matjeng’s spot follows others spilling on tampered witnesses, bent tenders, and cover-ups. An early report called for action against bad apples, with a task team now chasing leads on implicated cops.
For folks in uniform and out, these reveals shake trust. Reforms could include gift bans, recusal rules, and tender watches to keep things clean. As hearings near end in March, finds might spark big shifts, aiming for a force that serves without hidden pulls.
Public Reactions and Calls for Accountability
Matjeng’s words have divided folks: some slam her for the bond, calling it a betrayal of the badge, while others see greed at play. Social buzz questions if the “romance” hid payoffs, with laughs over the Ozempic and BBL bits amid serious claims. Calls ring out for swift probes to hold all accountable, no matter rank.
In a land fighting graft’s grip, this story pushes for transparency, ensuring personal lives do not twist public duties. As the panel digs on, hope grows for a cleaner system that puts people first.
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