In South Africa, Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, who is accused of bribing top police officials to win a R360m (approximately 38.05 billion Malawian kwacha) tender for his health company, pleaded guilty to corruption, fraud and money-laundering charges.
Matlala (49) is facing corruption charges after he allegedly bribed Police Chief Gen Fannie Masemola and other top-ranking police officials to secure a tender for his company, Medicare24, in 2024. Masemola has since denied the charges.
According to the BBC, the plea deal, which has not yet been accepted by the magistrate, would result in Matlala giving evidence against high-ranking officials.
State advocate Santhos Manilall stated in court that it had taken almost two months of negotiations to put the deal together and if accepted, it would result in Matlala, being jailed for eight years.
The state’s lawyer said that the “sacrifice” of a more lenient sentence would be worth it, as for the first time they have an accused who has given them details they would not have been made aware of.
Matlala is expected to give honest and frank testimony at future trials as part of the deal, and the magistrate at the Pretoria court is expected to give his ruling on the plea deal next week.
Matlala, is also facing charges of being part of a drug-trafficking cartel that has managed to penetrate the police. On the other hand, he is also facing a murder charge that he denies.
Source: BBC
