The corruption case linked to the controversial Medicare24 Tshwane District contract has been postponed to 29 September 2026, when the matter is expected to be transferred to the Pretoria Regional Court and joined with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday that disclosure of the contents of the docket had been completed for all 14 accused.
The accused face corruption charges relating to the alleged irregular awarding of a contract worth approximately R228 million to Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company owned by Matlala.
The matter was postponed to allow the State to proceed with the transfer of the case to the regional court, where Matlala and his two companies are expected to be joined with the other accused.
“The disclosure of the contents of the docket was completed for all accused,” said Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
Matlala’s case had previously been separated from that of the other accused.
He subsequently appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crime Court, where he withdrew from a plea and sentence agreement with the State.
He is expected to return to court on 11 September 2026. His matter is expected to be transferred back to the Pretoria Regional Court, where he and his two companies will be joined with the other 14 accused.
The Medicare24 case has also featured prominently in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, particularly in evidence concerning suspended national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
In August, IDAC prosecutor Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy told the commission that former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson had instructed investigators not to inform Masemola about certain investigations before he appeared before Parliament’s portfolio committee on police.
Ramsamy testified that the instruction was allegedly intended to allow Masemola to give evidence to Parliament without knowing about the investigations and then potentially face a perjury charge.
The official Madlanga Commission record states that Ramsamy described the alleged plan as a “set-up” of Masemola. The evidence remains testimony before the commission and has not been established as a finding.
Ramsamy also testified that Masemola was investigated in connection with the Medicare24 matter despite concerns about whether the required Section 27 complaint referral had been made.
The commission heard that Masemola had cancelled the Medicare24 contract after an internal audit identified irregularities.
According to Ramsamy’s evidence, investigators were also instructed to search Matlala’s electronic devices for possible links to Masemola and his daughter, despite prosecutors finding no evidence at the time linking Masemola to the matter.
The evidence has put renewed focus on the circumstances surrounding Masemola’s investigation while he remains suspended from his position as national police commissioner.
The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has meanwhile called for Masemola to return to work.
SAPU has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to reinstate Masemola, arguing that developments emerging at the Madlanga Commission warrant his return to the position. The union’s call has added to the debate over Masemola’s suspension while the commission continues examining allegations concerning the police and anti-corruption structures.
The criminal proceedings and the commission inquiry are separate processes. The allegations against the accused in the criminal matter remain before the courts and have yet to be determined.
The next major step in the Medicare24 case will be the expected transfer of the matter to the Pretoria Regional Court on 29 September, where the State intends to proceed with all the accused joined in one case.
