News Desk Reporter
The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has rejected the sentence proposed in the plea and sentencing agreement involving convicted fraudster Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala (49). The court has instead indicated an effective 12 years’ direct imprisonment.
The matter has been postponed to Monday, 13 July. This is to allow the State and Matlala’s legal team further discussions on the proposed sentence.
Matlala pleaded guilty to charges linked to a R228 million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender awarded to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.
He has agreed to testify as a State witness in related matters and is expected to give evidence against other individuals implicated in the investigation. The investigation is ongoing, with further arrests expected.
The court said it was not satisfied with the proposed plea and sentencing agreement. It replaced it with a stricter sentencing structure.
Fraud: 15 years’ imprisonment, with 7 years suspended on condition that Matlala testifies in all future proceedings linked to the matter, provides full and truthful evidence, and does not refuse to testify or retract prior statements during the suspension period.
Corruption: 10 years’ imprisonment, with 8 years ordered to run concurrently with the fraud sentence.
Money laundering: 10 years’ imprisonment, with 8 years also ordered to run concurrently with the fraud sentence.
The combined outcome results in an effective 12 years’ direct imprisonment.
The ruling replaces the earlier sentencing proposal contained in the plea agreement.