Masemola joins Matlala in multi-million rand Medicare24 tender court case
The Medicare 24 police tender, valued at approximately R228 million, court case involving Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala and suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has been postponed.
Masemola and Matlala appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday together with several senior police officials.
Masemola, who previously appeared separately, has now officially been added as accused number 17 in the matter.
They face charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering relating to the awarding of the same tender, in which Masemola has been implicated in his role as South African Police Service (SAPS) accounting officer.
Matlala was awarded the tender despite already being under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks in connection with the R2.3 billion Tembisa Hospital procurement scandal.
The businessman’s legal team successfully argued that he be kept at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre instead of being moved to eBongweni until his next court appearance.
“Considering that the first phase has been concluded, our request will be that he remains here for purposes of ensuring that on the 26th, there are no further reasons why the matter must be postponed, specifically for investigations that have to do with the financial analysis, as well as any other exercise that might have to be conducted. I'm saying this because at all material times, we are requested to be present when such is conducted,” said Matlala's lawyer.
Magistrate J.C. Kruger granted the request.
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mathome said further investigations would continue after the completion of the first phase of consultations between IDAC, Matlala, and his legal representative.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said new information has emerged in the case.
“As our prosecutor indicated, there was new information that they got, and they need to verify that and make sure that even the financial analysis is finalised. Therefore, we are hopeful that by that time we will have finalised all of that.”
The matter has now been postponed to 26 June this year.
Gallery
