UPDATE: Police Minister Senzo Mchunu denies ties to tenderpreneur at heart of explosive SAPS corruption scandal

Key topics:Mchunu accused of shielding murder-accused businessman Vusimusi Matlala.SAPS disbanded task team reportedly investigating political killings.Medicare24 tender scandal deepens with R50m already disbursed.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here.The auditorium doors will open for BNIC#2 on 10 September 2025 in Hermanus. For more information and tickets, click here..By Kerry Lanaghan.Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has strongly denied any links to Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala - the controversial businessman, murder accused, and tender beneficiary - following a series of damning revelations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.At the centre of the scandal is a now-cancelled R360m SAPS health services tender awarded to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tswane District, in March, just days before Bheki Cele vacated his post as police minister. Of that amount, R50m was paid before the contract was terminated, following allegations of fraud, fronting, and irregular procurement processes.Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi dropped a political bombshell this week, alleging that current and former police ministers were entangled with Matlala. Most explosive is the claim that Mchunu played a role in disbanding the elite Political Killings Task Team, just as it was reportedly closing in on Matlala, who stands accused of murdering his ex-partner, Tebogo Thobejane, in October 2023.Mkhwanazi presented WhatsApp messages retrieved from Matlala’s cellphone as evidence, including one from fellow tenderpreneur Brown Mogotsi, which read: “The task team that came to your house and harassed [you] has been dissolved; they got the letter on Monday.” The message goes on to reference the transfer of dockets to “Sibaya,” believed to be Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibaya.The dissolution letter allegedly originated from Mchunu’s office. Mogotsi forwarded the letter to Matlala the day after it was issued. Ten days later, a payment of R111,000 was made from Matlala’s company to Mogotsi, according to bank records confirmed by News24.In a formal statement released on X on 9 July 2025, Mchunu denied ever meeting or speaking to Matlala, or having received anything from him. “The Minister has never met Mr. Matlala, has never spoken to him, nor has the Minister ever requested or received anything from him,” the statement reads.Mchunu acknowledged knowing Mogotsi but insisted their relationship is limited to political circles: “He is just a comrade and not an associate of the Minister.” Mchunu also said he ordered a review of the Medicare24 contract when concerns were first raised.Mmusi Maimane, leader of BOSA (Build One South Africa), replied to Mchunu’s statement on X, “This is shocking, minister! Did you mendaciously address parliament?” Mchunu’s statement contradicts the information he had provided on his relations with those involved. Matlala’s link to Cele was first exposed through a hotel recording in which he referred to the former minister as a “friend” and “business partner.” Cele denies any business connection and downplays the relationship, though he admitted to staying at Matlala’s penthouse in Pretoria.The tangled saga deepens as SAPS faces mounting pressure over the botched tender, awarded amid the fallout from the R2.3bn Tembisa Hospital procurement scandal - and delayed action by national police commissioner Fannie Masemola. Despite receiving a recommendation to cancel the Medicare24 contract in January, SAPS allowed the deal to continue for over 100 days.The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption has since launched a criminal probe. President Cyril Ramaphosa, currently attending a BRICS summit in Brazil, is expected to address the matter on his return, calling Mkhwanazi’s disclosures “a matter of grave national security.”The unfolding scandal casts a long shadow over SAPS leadership, revealing what critics say is a disturbing blend of political protection, procurement corruption, and high-level interference in law enforcement operations.

UPDATE: Police Minister Senzo Mchunu denies ties to tenderpreneur at heart of explosive SAPS corruption scandal

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