Vusumuzi 'Cat' Matlala, a South African businessman facing serious charges linked to a major police tender scandal, will have to wait longer to learn his final prison sentence.His case was postponed to 13 July after he and the National Prosecuting Authority failed to reach agreement on sentencing terms.

Matlala had previously pleaded guilty on 25 June to seven counts of fraud, corruption, and money laundering connected to a R228 million SAPS tender awarded to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.Although the tender was initially valued at R360 million, it was later cancelled following an audit that uncovered irregularities.By that stage, the company had already received around R50 million in payments.

Under a plea arrangement, Matlala had hoped to serve an effective eight-year prison term in exchange for cooperating with authorities and testifying against senior police officials.However, Magistrate Ignatius du Preez rejected the proposed deal, describing it as too lenient given the seriousness of the offences.

The magistrate instead suggested a harsher sentence structure that could result in approximately 12 years of imprisonment, stating that the crimes were driven by greed and that Matlala’s claimed remorse was not convincing.

The court also noted that his cooperation only began after he was already in custody on another matter, suggesting it may have been strategic rather than genuine.

Matlala remains in custody at the high-security Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre while also facing a separate trial involving 25 charges, including attempted murder.

His broader legal troubles form part of the ongoing Madlanga Commission investigation into alleged corruption within South Africa’s police service, which also involves several senior officers and other co-accused individuals.The matter has now been postponed to 13 July for further proceedings.