A senior South African Police Service officer has been dismissed following an internal disciplinary process that found her guilty of accepting bribes and colluding with an alleged underworld figure.

Brigadier Rachel Matjeng was dismissed from SAPS with effect from 30 June after being found guilty on multiple counts of serious misconduct stemming from her relationship with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

The Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, welcomed the dismissal, saying the outcome sends a clear message that corruption and collusion with criminals have no place within the police service.

Matjeng was found guilty of accepting gratification, money laundering, improper conduct by advising Matlala against the interests of SAPS, conduct prejudicial to the administration of the service by providing Matlala with a list containing details of SAPS members with the intention of deriving a financial benefit, and dishonesty.

The case centres on a R360 million SAPS health services tender that Matlala’s company secured. In June 2026, Matlala pleaded guilty to multiple charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, admitting he paid R300 000 to Matjeng.

Matjeng had maintained that payments and gifts she received from Matlala were personal tokens of affection from a romantic partner. However, this claim was met with scepticism when she testified before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, known as the Madlanga Commission, in February.

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Evidence presented to the commission suggested Matjeng helped Matlala claim funds for 140 non-arrivals related to the health services tender, raising questions about her oversight role in the contract.

As part of his plea and sentencing agreement, Matlala has agreed to serve as a state witness and testify against high-ranking police officials implicated in the scandal. The court was expected to rule on the acceptance of his plea deal today, 1 July.

Matjeng’s dismissal comes as South African law enforcement continues to grapple with corruption within its ranks. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the seniority of the officer involved and the substantial value of the tender at the centre of the allegations.

The Madlanga Commission has been investigating widespread criminality and political interference in the criminal justice system, with the Matjeng-Matlala case representing one of several high-profile corruption scandals to emerge from the inquiry.

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