By: Bright Ntuli
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the plea agreement reached with alleged underworld figure Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala has no bearing on any other criminal cases he is facing.
Matlala has pleaded guilty to fraud and corruption charges linked to a controversial R228 million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender awarded to his company, Medicare24.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the plea agreement relates only to the fraud and corruption matter and does not affect any of the other charges pending against Matlala.
Kganyago says Matlala will still have to answer to attempted murder charges alongside his wife in connection with three separate shooting incidents. Those cases will continue through the courts independently of the plea agreement.
The NPA has reiterated that each criminal matter is dealt with on its own merits and that the plea agreement does not shield Matlala from prosecution in any of the other cases he is facing.
