Madlanga Commission Hears Matjeng Helped Matlala Claim Money for Missed Medical Checks
Pretoria, Gauteng – Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, a senior police officer in charge of quality checks for forensic services, has shared shocking details at the Madlanga Commission about her close ties with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, including how she stepped in to help his company get paid for health checks that some people never showed up for, raising fresh questions about favours and rule-bending in big police contracts.
Brigadier Matjeng’s Role and Her Testimony
As the section head for quality management in the criminal record and crime scene unit, Matjeng oversees important tasks like emergency readiness, hygiene checks, waste handling, and health monitoring for police staff. She took the stand to explain her part in a deal with Matlala’s firm, Medicare24, which landed a huge contract worth millions to handle medical surveillance for officers. This involves regular health tests to spot risks from their work, like handling dangerous materials.
During her time before the panel, Matjeng laid out how the contract hit snags right from the start. She described meetings with Matlala and others to sort out issues like getting proper sign-offs and certificates for the tests. One key gathering happened in 2017 at Medicare’s offices, attended by top police figures and Matlala himself. Later ones in 2025 focused on fixing problems with how the checks were done, especially in busy areas like Tshwane.
She stressed that her job was to make sure the work met standards, but admitted stepping in when things went wrong. For instance, when some officers missed their slots, Matjeng helped push through claims so Medicare could still get paid. She said this was to keep the programme running smoothly, but the move has sparked worries about whether it let money flow without proper proof that services happened.
Revelations About a Romantic Relationship
In a twist that caught many off guard, Matjeng opened up about her personal life with Matlala. She described an on-and-off romantic bond that started around the time his company chased the police deal. She called him humble, respectful, and loving, saying he showered her with gifts and support during tough times. To keep things quiet from his wife, Matlala sent money her way through other people’s bank accounts, hiding the transfers.
Matjeng insisted this was not a bribe tied to the contract. She told her boss about the relationship and asked to step back from overseeing the Medicare work to avoid any mix-up. Still, chats between them came across as very work-focused, with talks about speeding up payments and fixing issues. The commission chair noted how these messages seemed oddly formal for a couple, hinting at a blend of personal and professional lines that might have crossed rules.
She also shared that Matlala helped her out with cash during family hardships, like when her son faced troubles. These details paint a picture of a deep connection that went beyond business, but Matjeng held firm that it did not sway her work choices or lead to any wrongdoing.
The Troubled Medicare24 Contract
The heart of Matjeng’s story revolves around the R360 million tender given to Medicare24 in June 2024 for health services across police spots. From the get-go, rollout faced hurdles, like getting the right gear for tests and lining up spots for officers to go. Matjeng joined talks to iron these out, pushing for better ways to track who got checked and who missed out.
One big snag was officers not turning up for their medical surveillance slots. Matjeng stepped in to help verify claims for these no-shows, allowing the company to bill for work that might not have fully happened. She explained this as part of fixing a messy setup, but it has led to claims of loose oversight and possible overpayments. The contract aimed to cover things like blood tests and health monitoring, but glitches meant some areas lagged behind.
By late 2024, Matjeng learned Matlala had stepped down as a director, but she said this did not hit her radar at the time. The deal has since been flagged as irregular, with fingers pointed at fast-tracked payments and possible kickbacks. Matlala’s firm got the nod despite questions, and Matjeng’s role in smoothing things has put her under the spotlight.
Links to Wider Corruption Claims
Matjeng’s evidence ties into bigger tales of how crime figures might have wormed into police dealings. Matlala faces charges like plotting kills and washing money, with links to a scrapped tender and alleged hits on informers. Witnesses before painted him as a mover who used close bonds to sway choices, including with officers like Matjeng.
She denied taking any bribes, saying the R300,000 she got was personal, not linked to work. But the commission has referred her and others for more probes by law enforcers, hinting at possible rule breaks. Chats shown in hearings mix sweet talk with business pleas, like pushing for quicker cash releases when Medicare hit delays.
This has sparked calls for tighter checks on how tenders get handed out and watched, especially when personal ties creep in. Experts say such bonds can cloud judgments, leading to deals that favour friends over fair play.
The Madlanga Commission’s Ongoing Work
Set up in 2025 to root out graft and meddling in justice spots, the commission keeps uncovering layers of issues in police ranks. Matjeng’s turn follows others who spoke of tampered witnesses and bent contracts. The panel aims to wrap by mid-March, with early finds already calling for firings and reforms.
Her story highlights risks when work and private lives mix, pushing for clearer rules on disclosing ties. As hearings roll on, more light sheds on how syndicates grab hold, aiming to rebuild trust in a system meant to protect all.
Impacts on Police Trust and Reforms
For everyday people, these reveals shake faith in those sworn to serve. Officers like Matjeng hold key spots to ensure quality, but claims of favours erode that. Communities want clean deals that put safety first, not personal gains.
Looking ahead, her words could spark changes like stricter gift rules and better tender watches. If probes lead to action, it might clean up ranks and stop future slips. For now, the commission’s dig keeps peeling back layers, chasing a fairer setup for all.
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