Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala told a commission of inquiry that he was approached in 2017 by Medicare 24 Holdings CEO Mike van Wyk, who allegedly suggested Matlala could help the company gain access to township health projects because he was black.
According to Matlala’s testimony, Van Wyk allegedly told him: “Since you are black, you might be at an advantage than us.” Matlala said Medicare 24 wanted to manage clinics in township communities and believed he could open doors that the company could not.
Matlala went on to purchase a Medicare 24 franchise in 2018. He told the committee there was an understanding that he would pay the franchise fee only once he secured a major contract.
R350 million SAPS contract under the spotlight
The inquiry has also heard how Matlala’s company, Medicare 24 Contract Tshwane District, was awarded a R350 million South African Police Service contract for “health risk management” services in 2024.
At the time, the company had no track record in delivering such services.
The controversial contract was later cancelled due to irregularities, raising questions about how the little-known entity won a deal of that magnitude.
Details emerging at the inquiry suggest the relationship between Van Wyk and Matlala—and their alleged 2017 discussions about access and race—may become central to understanding how the tender was structured, awarded, and ultimately invalidated.
The commission continues to probe the extent to which political influence, fronting, or improper conduct may have played a role in the now-defunct SAPS contract.
