Twelve senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officers, including one retired, were arrested on 24 March 2026 in connection with a fraudulent R360-million tender awarded to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s company, Medicare 24. They appeared in Pretoria Magistrates’ Court the next day facing corruption and fraud charges. The case links to broader allegations of Big Five cartel infiltration in law enforcement.
Late on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption arrested 12 SAPS officials for their alleged role in awarding a R360-million tender to Medicare 24 Tshwane District (Pty) Ltd in 2024. The contract covered retirement due to ill health, wellness screenings, and pre-employment medical assessments but was later cancelled due to irregularities including fraud, according to investigations cited by Parliament’s ad hoc committee and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Big Five cartel allegations in policing and politics. The officers appeared in Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with corruption, fraud, and contravening the Public Finance Management Act. All except Matlala, who remains in custody on other charges, were granted bail ranging from R40,000 to R80,000. Also charged are Matlala and his associate James Murray. The arrested officers include Captain Brian Cartwright, described by the National Prosecuting Authority as a main instigator and bid committee facilitator; Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who testified before the Madlanga Commission that she requested Ozempic from Matlala as her boyfriend, saying, “I then requested him, as a boyfriend, to say: ‘Can I have my Ozempic?’”; retired Brigadier Petunia Lenono, former head of psychological services; Major General Busisiwe Temba, employee health and wellness head; and Brigadier Kirsty Jonker, recognised for service terminations. Others are Brigadier Alpheus Ngema, Brigadier Patrick Nthengwe, Colonel Tumisho Maleka, Brigadier Onicca Ofentse Tlhoaele, Colonel Anton Paulsen, Colonel Natsengae Monyai, and Colonel Nonjobulo Mngadi. Allegations include misrepresentations, such as false declarations of no consultations with officials and claiming Medicare 24 had a compatible computerised system despite lacking one. The South African government stated: “These arrests send a clear and necessary message that no individual, including those entrusted with enforcing the law, is above scrutiny.” Separately, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola faces a court summons on 21 April linked to the contract. This adds to ongoing probes into cartel infiltration claims first raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
