The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed Brigadier Rachel Matjeng after she was found guilty of serious misconduct arising from her dealings with alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe announced on Tuesday that Matjeng’s employment had been terminated following the completion of an internal disciplinary hearing.
Matjeng was attached to the Forensic Services division, where she headed quality management in the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management section.
According to Mathe, the disciplinary process found Matjeng guilty on several charges linked to her association with Matlala.
“The dismissal follows the conclusion of an internal disciplinary process in which Brig Matjeng was found guilty on multiple counts of serious misconduct arising from her relationship with alleged underworld figure ‘Cat’ Matlala,” Mathe said.
The disciplinary outcome comes less than a week after Matlala concluded a plea and sentence agreement with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) in the fraud case involving the R228 million SAPS medical services contract awarded to Medicare24 in 2024.
In terms of that agreement, Matlala admitted paying Matjeng R300,000 in kickbacks after she referred SAPS members to Medicare24 for medical screening.
Those referrals led to purchase orders being issued to the company, allowing Medicare24 to bill SAPS for the services rendered.
The company ultimately received approximately R50 million from the contract.
Mathe said the internal investigation found Matjeng guilty of accepting gratification, laundering money, acting dishonestly, providing advice to Matlala that was contrary to SAPS’ interests, and supplying him with a list containing details of police members to secure a financial benefit.
Matjeng remains before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where she is facing fraud and corruption charges arising from the same tender.
During proceedings last week, her legal representative, Advocate Moyawa Molefe, requested that prosecutors disclose Matlala’s plea agreement once the criminal matter has been finalised.
Matjeng also testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into allegations of criminal infiltration within law enforcement agencies.
While giving evidence, she admitted receiving money from Matlala but denied it was connected to corruption.
Instead, she told the commission the payments were made because she and Matlala were romantically involved.
However, Matlala’s plea agreement states that the R300,000 constituted kickbacks paid to Matjeng in exchange for referring police officials to Medicare24, enabling the company to secure business from SAPS.
