Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has pleaded guilty to all seven charges in the R228 million SAPS tender corruption case linked to his company, Medicare24.

Matlala faced seven charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering relating to the controversial tender after consulting with prosecutors for two months to enter into a plea deal.

He will now turn state witness.

Matlala made a brief appearance in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Thursday.

The State and Matlala have agreed that the court deviates from minimum sentence and for the businessman’s sentences to run concurrently.

The agreed sentence is 15 years direct imprisonment with seven years suspended. This means Matlala would serve eight years behind bars if the deal is approved.

The State says Matlala has drafted a statement which discloses the involvement of several high-profile people in the matter.

His case has been separated from the main fraud and corruption proceedings linked to the Medicare24 tender and will now proceed independently in the regional court.

The magistrate reserved judgment on whether to accept the proposed plea agreement. A final ruling is expected on 1 July.

DA questions deal

Democratic Alliance spokesperson on justice Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach has raised concerns about the proposed arrangement.

“The NPA appears determined to repeat one of its most disastrous mistakes: the slap on the wrist plea agreement concluded with Angelo Agrizzi,” Breytenbach said on Thursday.

She said no one has yet been prosecuted as a result of information gained through the Agrizzi plea agreement.

“South Africa cannot afford another Agrizzi,” Breytenbach said.

The DA has called on the National Director of Public Prosecutions to provide full transparency regarding the plea negotiations.

“Every sweetheart deal concluded with a corruption accused weakens public confidence in the rule of law,” Breytenbach said.

High-ranking officials implicated

Matlala’s 16 co-accused include suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and other senior police officials. Their case will continue separately.

Under the proposed deal, Matlala must provide statements to police and testify regarding his own role and that of others. The suspended sentence only remains valid if he cooperates and remains law-abiding.

The plea agreement does not affect Matlala’s separate pending trial for the attempted murder of his former girlfriend.

Matlala remains in custody at the C-Max wing of Kgosi Mampuru II prison as a high-risk inmate.

ALSO READ: Controversial businessman Cat Matlala’s murder trial moves to High Court