The sleepless nights after ‘Cat’ Matlala started singing

For the guilty, his affidavit is a countdown

- By Setumo Stone

Some people in police boardrooms, tender networks, private security circles and political offices must have heard about Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s 8-year sentence plea deal and realised the case had turned.

Not because he pleaded guilty.

The real danger lies in what has not yet been disclosed.

The state has Matlala’s signed affidavit. The court, expected to rule on Wednesday, was told it contains information backed by documents. Prosecutors said some of it had been checked and could allow them to pursue high-ranking officials.

That is what should worry those who thought the Medicare 24 contract scandal would stop at bid committees, middlemen and companies.

For the innocent, the affidavit is an inconvenience. For the compromised, it is a countdown.

Matlala has admitted that Medicare 24 Tshwane District fraudulently secured a SAPS contract worth more than R228m and that the SAPS paid the company more than R50m.

He admitted that SAPS officials were paid gratifications. Brig Rachel Matjeng was named in court as having allegedly received R300 000 in three tranches. Cpt Brian Cartwright was described as having assisted the bid while sitting inside the procurement process.

But the story has moved beyond those named.