Medicare24 fraud case returns to court as review board weighs whether accused walk free
The Pretoria district court heard that the case, tied to a R228 million SAPS health services contract, now depends on a review board sitting on 8 October and a decision by the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Medicare24 case has been postponed to 17 November, when the Pretoria district court is expected to hear the outcome of a review board and a decision by the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
Vimo Zikat Matlala, described in the broadcast as an alleged criminal kingpin, appeared briefly alongside twelve alleged corrupt police officers and the director of Medicare24, according to eNCA (YouTube). The appearance relates to a R228 million contract awarded for health services for the South African Police Service to Matlala’s company, Medicare24.
The prosecutor told the court that the review board is only scheduled to sit on 8 October. The board will consider the charges against the accused as well as the case itself.
Matlala had previously struck a plea and sentence agreement with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, but that deal has since fallen through and Matlala abandoned it. The IDAC has had to rejoin him to the main case, which has been done.
Separately, charges against suspended national police commissioner Fim Masimula were dropped last week.
The prosecution’s suggestion that the matter return on 17 November means the accused could walk free if the review board finds problems with how the case has been prosecuted.
Source: eNCA (YouTube), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZCShSMUqpI
