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

SAPS Brigadier Rachel Matjeng faced scrutiny from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry over allegations of conflict of interest in her dealings with alleged crime mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. 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.”