SAPS Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, Matlala’s Girlfriend Denies R300,000 Bribe Claims Linked to Cat Matlala Tender

SAPS Brigadier Rachel Matjeng has firmly denied allegations that she received R300,000 from alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala as a bribe connected to a controversial SAPS contract worth R360 million.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, Matjeng — a senior official in the SAPS Forensic Services Division — acknowledged her romantic relationship with Matlala but insisted the payments had nothing to do with her official duties or the awarding of the tender.

She told the commission that the money was paid into a bank account belonging to Osizweni Meat Market, a butchery owned by her friend, Modiegi Kekana, whose details she had provided to Matlala.

Madlanga Commission probes alleged SAPS tender gratification

Matjeng explained that Matlala initially deposited funds into her FNB account but later asked for an alternative account. According to her, he was concerned that his wife might uncover their relationship and did not want her SAPS career to be compromised.

As section head of Quality Management in Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management at the Forensic Services Division in Pretoria, Matjeng was responsible for monitoring the performance of a health risk management contract awarded in June 2024.

She testified that she only became aware that Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, was a successful bidder after the process was finalised and maintained she played no role in awarding the tender.

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga pressed Matjeng on three R100,000 payments made in January, March and April. Despite this, she maintained that she never benefited from the money.

Madlanga expressed doubt about her version, suggesting the payments were, in reality, bribes. “So, the plausible explanation for me was that this was actually a gratification or at least to soften it, indications are that it was a gratification,” he said.

Matjeng stated that the first R100,000 was intended to help her cover costs related to her vehicle, which was burnt in September 2023. However, she said Kekana refused to release the funds, claiming Matlala owed the butchery R338,000 for meat purchased on credit for funerals of community members and friends.

Commissioners question credibility of payment explanation

The commission remained unconvinced. Commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC told Matjeng: “I do not believe you. You are not being honest with us. These are the monies that you received.”

Co-commissioner Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC echoed the scepticism, saying it was unlikely Kekana would withhold money meant for Matjeng, given their friendship and her urgent need to repair her burnt-out vehicle.

Matjeng insisted she never denied requesting the money but maintained she did not receive the first R100,000, adding that the remaining R200,000 was meant for Kekana.

SAPS brigadier details long-standing relationship with Cat Matlala

Turning to her personal relationship with Matlala, Matjeng told the inquiry she reported the romance to her superior, Manamela, who advised her to remain professional and keep her personal life separate from her work.

She described how the relationship began in 2017: “I met Matlala early in the year 2017 through a colleague who downloaded my photo on her WhatsApp status. The following day, she told me that my picture had attracted a lot of people and there was a guy named Cat who requested my contact.”

The two later became romantically involved. “We had an on-and-off relationship. Sometimes we would even get a year break from one another without talking to each other,” she said.

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According to Matjeng, the relationship is still ongoing but has been disrupted by Matlala’s arrest. She characterised him as romantic and generous, saying he often gave her gifts and money.

She added that she knew Matlala as a businessman with interests including Cat VIP Security Services, Medicare24 Tshwane District and other ventures.

“I have never borrowed money from Matlala, and the money I received in 2017 was a gift from a boyfriend. None of the gifts or monies from him were related to me having the awarding of the tender or execution thereof, as I started receiving them from 2017 while being in our on-and-off relationship,” Matjeng said.