Sign in Subscribe
Bribery

SAPS Health Services Contract Embroiled in Kickback Scandal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A key witness has accused two senior police officials of receiving multimillion-rand kickbacks linked to a R1.2 billion health services contract awarded by the South African Police Service (SAPS). The testimony before the Madlanga Commission implicated Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and Major General Lesetja Senona in the alleged kickback scheme. Witness C claimed that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a known criminal kingpin, revealed a complex web of corruption involving middlemen, account details, and cash transactions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Witness C testified before the Madlanga Commission, implicating Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and Major General Lesetja Senona in a R1.2 billion SAPS health services contract kickback scheme.
  • Matlala claimed to have paid Sibiya directly, while a middleman, Sergeant F. Nkosi, allegedly received payments via EFT and collected cash packages on Sibiya's behalf.
  • The SAPS canceled the R360 million portion of the tender in May, citing that the company should not have passed the initial bidding stage.
  • Matlala implicated Sibiya and Nkosi in a screenshot from an SAPS personnel system, as well as ABSA account details used for payments.
  • Matlala claimed to have close ties with several high-ranking officers, including Head of Counterintelligence Feroz Khan and Head of Organised Crime Richard Shibiri.
  • Matlala denied involvement in the kidnapping of businessman Jerry Boshoga, who he said owed him R5 million.

Statistics:

  • R1.2 billion: The value of the SAPS health services contract at the center of the kickback scandal.
  • R360 million: The portion of the tender canceled by the SAPS in May.
  • R1 million: The amount of money Jerry Boshoga allegedly owed Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
  • 2020: The year Witness C joined the Provincial Killings Task Team (PKTT).

Sources:

  • "Commission of Inquiry into the Fitness for Purpose and the Conduct of the Appointed Service Providers of the South African Police Service"
  • "South African Police Service spokesperson"
  • "National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola"
  • "Parliament of the Republic of South Africa"

Read more