SAPS Brigadier faces conflict of interest allegations in R360-million contract scandal

SAPS Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, a senior official in SAPS Forensic Services, has been accused of a conflict of interest in her dealings with alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala linked to a R360-million SAPS contract to his company Medicare 24 Tshwane.

Testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng disclosed she was romantically involved with Matlala, who secured a medical services contract under her division in June 2024. 

The contract, awarded to Matlala's company, falls under the Quality Management section of Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management at SAPS Forensic Services in Pretoria, which Matjeng heads.

Matjeng rejected accusations of poor performance by Matlala's company, Medicare 24, during her testimony. 

The allegations stemmed from a SAPS letter highlighting the company's 100% non-performance.

Matjeng said: "I don't want to critique the letter that is coming from my organisation, but looking at this picture where it says 100% non-performance, it was not 100% non-performance. And also it was confirmed (to me) by a colonel who is working in supply chain management."

A WhatsApp conversation between Matlala and Matjeng revealed she advised him to include grievances about delayed payments by SAPS in a letter to the police service.

"On ur (your) response you should also indicate the challenges experienced from SAPS. Delays in payment. Failure to have a meeting with SAPS to discuss challenges in order to improve service delivery as per service level agreement. Members (are) insisting on using their preferred doctors,” read Matjeng’s WhatsApp message.

She defended her actions, stating the WhatsApp message was sent after Matlala's letter had already been drafted and submitted to SAPS.

When asked about whose interest she was advancing, she said: "I was advancing the interest of Matlala against my employer."

Commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC expressed concern that Matjeng was helping Matlala to argue that SAPS was in default by hindering his performance despite SAPS records showing his company did not deliver.

"Can I put my proposition to you? I think this in fact, which I have just read to you and the history of how you have been assisting him, in fact, glaringly sets out the conflict position in which you were because according to this letter they are not performing in your section. 

"But, notwithstanding that you are consistently assisting him, you are not dealing with the fact he is not performing in your section. That speaks to the serious conflict of interest that you had that you couldn't deal with his non-performance because of your relationship with him," Baloyi said.

Earlier, Matjeng denied receiving R300,000 from Matlala as a "gratification" for assisting with his contract when Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned her about R100,000 payments made in January, March, and April.

She told the Commission that the payments were deposited into a bank account belonging to Osizweni Meat Market, a butchery owned by her friend Modiegi Kekana, which she had given to Matlala. 

Matjeng stated Matlala initially deposited money into her FNB account, but later asked her to provide an alternative account, citing concerns his wife would discover their relationship. He allegedly did not want SAPS to jeopardise Matjeng's career.

Matjeng claimed the first R100,000 deposit was meant to help her make payment in respect of her vehicle, which was burnt down in September 2023.

However, according to her, Kekana refused to give her the money on account that she was owed by Matlala an amount of R338,000 for meat he bought on credit from her butchery for funerals of needy community members and friends.

Madlanga suggested the R300,000 payments were likely a gratification for her influence in Matlala's contract, given she acted as a conduit for Osizweni despite Matlala's direct dealings with the business. 

"So, the plausible explanation for me was that this was actually a gratification or at least to soften it, indications are that it was a gratification," he said.

Matjeng recounted meeting Matlala in early 2017 after a colleague's WhatsApp post of her picture drew attention, including a contact request from Matlala, leading to a romantic relationship.

She testified that she learnt that Matlala's company Medicare24 Tshwane district was a successful bidder after 2024. She added that she did not participate in the awarding of the tender in question.

She claimed to have reported her romantic involvement with Matlala to her superior Major-General Manamela, who advised her to maintain professionalism and separate personal and work life.

The commission will resume on Friday to continue Matjeng's testimony.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za