Cat Matlala's lover, SAPS Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, refutes R300,000 'bribe' claims

SAPS Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, a senior official in the Forensic Services Division, has denied receiving R300,000 from an alleged crime mastermind, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, as a "gratification" for assisting with his R360 million SAPS contract, which was cancelled amid allegations of corruption and irregularities.

Matjeng, who admitted to having a romantic relationship with Matlala, testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday that the payment was unrelated to her official duties.

She testified 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. 

She stated that Matlala had previously deposited money into her FNB account but later requested an alternative account, citing concerns that his wife might discover their relationship and that he did not want the SAPS to jeopardise her career.

As the section head of Quality Management in Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management at the Forensic Services Division in Pretoria, Matjeng's role involved overseeing the performance of a health risk management contract awarded to Matlala in June 2024.

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.

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned Matjeng about R100,000 payments made in January, March, and April, but she maintained she never benefited from the payments.

Madlanga expressed skepticism of Matjeng's explanation, implying Matlala's payments were actually bribes. 

Matjeng claimed the first R100,000 deposit was meant to help her make a 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 the 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 insisted that she did not deny requesting the money, but claimed she did not receive the R100,000, and the other R200,000 was intended for Kekana.

Commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC said: "I do not believe you. You are not being honest with us. These are the monies that you received." 

Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC, co-commissioner, shared the same sentiment, suggesting it was unlikely Kekana would keep money meant for Matjeng, given their friendship and her understanding that Matjeng desperately needed money to pay for her burnt-out vehicle.

Matjeng said she reported her romantic involvement with Matlala to her superior, Manamela, who advised her to maintain professionalism and separate personal and work life. 

Regarding her romantic relationship with Matlala, she said: "I met Matlala early in the year 2017 through a colleague who downloaded my photo on her WhatsApp status. The following day, she told me that my picture had attracted a lot of people and there was a guy named Cat who requested my contact."

The pair then started talking and ended up having a romantic relationship. 

Matjeng said: "We had an on-and-off relationship. Sometimes we would even get a year break from one another without talking to each other."

According to her, the romantic relationship is still in existence, but it was disrupted by Matlala's arrest. 

She described Matlala as a romantic person who showered her with gifts and money.

She testified that she knew Matlala as a businessman, having several businesses like Cat VIP Security Services company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, and other companies.

"I have never borrowed money from Matlala, and the money I received in 2017 was a gift from a boyfriend. None of the gifts or monies from him were related to me having the awarding of the tender or execution thereof, as I started receiving them from 2017 while being in our on-and-off relationship," Matjeng said.

Matjeng's testimony is still under way.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za