Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has abandoned the plea and sentence agreement he recently concluded with the state after refusing to accept the sentence proposed by the court.
The development was confirmed by his legal representative in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday.
Following the withdrawal of the agreement, the case was postponed to 11 September 2026.
Magistrate Ignatius du Preez placed the withdrawal on record before declaring the agreement invalid.
“I’ve been informed by counsel on your behalf, in respect of yourself, accused two and three, that it is your choice to withdraw from the plea and sentence agreement as you decline to accept the court’s recommended sentence. Do you confirm, in respect of yourself, that is the position?
“Accused two. Do you confirm? Yes. And accused three.
“Thank you. The plea and sentence agreement is then to be regarded as null and void,” Du Preez said.
The agreement would have seen Matlala plead guilty to charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering.
The charges stem from the awarding of a R228 million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender.
With the plea agreement now set aside, Matlala and his co-accused are expected to continue with criminal proceedings when the matter returns to court on 11 September 2026.
