‘No place for collusion with criminals’: SAPS fires brigadier Matjeng in Matlala case

Rachel Matjeng

Johannesburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed Brigadier Rachel Matjeng following an internal disciplinary process that found her guilty of serious misconduct linked to her relationship with alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Matjeng’s dismissal takes effect from 30 June 2026.

Acting National Commissioner of SAPS Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane welcomed the outcome, saying it demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to addressing corruption and misconduct within its ranks.

“The dismissal follows the conclusion of an internal disciplinary process in which Brigadier Matjeng was found guilty on multiple counts of serious misconduct arising from her relationship with alleged underworld figure Cat Matlala,” police said in a statement.
Among the charges on which she was found guilty are:
  • Accepting gratification
  • Money laundering
  • Improper conduct by advising Matlala against the interests of the Saps
  • Conduct prejudicial to the administration of the Saps by providing Matlala with a list containing details of Saps members with the intention of deriving a financial benefit
  • Dishonesty

“Corruption, criminality and any form of collusion with criminals have no place within the South African Police Service,” Dimpane said.

Matjeng was among 12 police officials linked to the R360 million Medicare24 SAPS tender scandal.

Matjeng, who previously served as section head for quality management: criminal record and crime scene management at the SAPS forensic services division in Pretoria, testified before the Madlanga Commission in February after being identified as one of the officers who allegedly received money from Matlala.

During her testimony, Matjeng admitted to being involved in an on-and-off romantic relationship with Matlala but denied that the money and gifts she received were connected to SAPS tenders or influenced her official duties.

“I have never borrowed money from Mr Matlala, and the money and gifts received from 2017 were a gift from a boyfriend,” she told the commission, aording to The Citizen.

She said the financial support and gifts began during their relationship and that Matlala never asked her to perform any favours that could jeopardise her career.

Matjeng also told the commission that she had no knowledge of Matlala being involved in criminal activities at the time, describing him as “humble, respectful and romantic”.

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