Pretoria – Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who revealed during her testimony at the Madlanga Commission that she was romantically involved with crime-accused businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has been dismissed from her position in the police force following the disclosure of significant financial gifts received from him.
During their relationship, Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, held a contract with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Brigadier Matjeng confirmed that she accepted both cash and gifts from Matlala, which included deposits into her personal accounts and those of a friend.
She insisted that these were personal gifts from her partner rather than bribes related to the contract.
Brigadier Matjeng is among 16 individuals implicated in the R360 million SAPS tender corruption case associated with the now-cancelled Medicare24 Tshwane District contract.
Presently, she is out on bail set at R80,000, as ordered by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
In reaction to her dismissal on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe stated that Brigadier Matjeng underwent a disciplinary process before her termination.
“The dismissal follows an internal disciplinary investigation which found Brigadier Matjeng guilty of multiple serious misconduct charges in relation to her connection with the alleged criminal figure Cat Matlala,” the spokesperson noted.
Matjeng, who was dismissed on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, faced various charges including:
- Receiving gratification;
- Money laundering;
- Improper conduct by advising Matlala against SAPS interests;
- Conduct harmful to the administration of SAPS by providing Matlala with a list of police personnel details for financial gain; and
- Dishonesty.
Acting National SAPS Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has shown support for Matjeng’s dismissal.
Lieutenant General Dimpane stressed that this decision reinforces the message that corruption, criminal activities, and any form of collaboration with criminals are intolerable within SAPS.
