'I was lucky to get Saps contract'

COMMITTEE: ‘NO FRONTING, MY BUSINESS IS GENUINE,' MATLALA SAYS OF R360M DEAL

- Vhahangwele Nemakonde

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has reluctantly owned up on how his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, was awarded a R360-million South African Police Service (Saps) health services contract.

And he also dismissed the evidence of former police minister, Bheki Cele, accusing him of lying under oath about their relationship.

Matlala claimed he paid Cele R500 000 in two separate payments and also helped transport Cele and his wife to a wedding.

About the flagged police tender, Matlala told parliament's ad hoc committee of police yesterday the idea of the hospital came through Mike van Wyk, who lives on the same estate as him.

The deal between Matlala and Van Wyk is between a franchisor and its franchisee, with Van Wyk owning Medicare24 Holdings.

The agreement was that Matlala would register his company under Medicare24 Holdings and pay a management fee to the company on every contract secured by Medicare24 Tshwane District.