In the latest episode of Crime Central SA, the spotlight falls on Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, a man once described as one of South Africa’s most powerful and feared tenderpreneurs.
The podcast, now in its fifth episode, explores how Matlala allegedly built an empire of corruption that reached deep into government institutions — from the South African Police Service (SAPS) to provincial health departments.
Matlala, who is currently behind bars, has been accused of running a network that blended crime, politics, and businessin ways that few have ever dared. His story, as unpacked in Episode 005, reads like a true-crime thriller, except this time, the events are very real and still unfolding.
The episode traces his journey from the streets of Mamelodi to the corridors of power in Pretoria.
Known by his nickname “Cat”, which he reportedly earned after surviving multiple gun battles and near arrests, Matlala is said to have mastered the art of survival — both in the criminal world and in high-level business circles.
According to investigators, Matlala’s turning point came in 2024, when his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, secured a R360 million contract with SAPS to provide healthcare services to police officers. On paper, it looked like an ordinary business deal. In reality, it triggered what investigators later described as one of the biggest procurement scandals inside the police force.
When irregularities surfaced, Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola was forced to cancel the deal. But by then, tens of millions had already been paid out. The situation worsened when Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu-Natal’s police commissioner, made explosive claims that Matlala was part of a criminal cartel with political connections, accusing top police officials and ministers of protecting him.
The episode also delves into Matlala’s alleged connection to the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who was gunned down in 2021 after exposing corruption at Gauteng’s Tembisa Hospital.
Investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) later revealed that companies linked to Matlala were among those that benefited from the contracts Deokaran had flagged before her death.
By 2025, Matlala’s name was all over national headlines — not just for corruption, but for violent crimes, including conspiracy to commit murder. One of his most publicised cases involved an attempted assassination on his former partner, actress Tebogo Thobejane.
Episode 005 goes beyond the headlines. It unpacks how state capture-like tactics — such as political influence, bribes, and disbanded police units — allowed Matlala to operate for years without serious consequence. It also looks at how institutions like the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and the SIU are now working to uncover the full extent of his empire.
Listeners will hear first-hand clips from news briefings, leaked recordings, and testimonies given to official commissions, creating a chilling portrait of how corruption, greed, and violence became deeply intertwined in South Africa’s governance structures.
As Crime Central SA makes clear, the story of Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala is far from over. His court cases continue, new witnesses are expected to testify, and more details are being unearthed through official investigations.
For anyone interested in South Africa’s true crime underworld, Episode 005 is essential listening — an in-depth look at how one man’s pursuit of power exposed the fragility of the country’s most trusted institutions.
The full episode, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala: The Most Powerful Tenderpreneur in South Africa, is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
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