Police inquiry: Deputy Minister reveals alleged phone bugging attempt linked to Matlala's R360 million SAPS tender
Peeling back the layers of alleged political interference within South Africa’s police service, Deputy Minister of Police Dr Paulina Boshielo revealed that she was warned of attempts to bug her phone linked to a controversial tender cancellation involving a multimurder suspect, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The warning purportedly came from suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
Boshielo made the revelation on Tuesday during her testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee on Political Interference in Police.
The committee, established on October 7 amid growing concerns about infiltration and factionalism within the justice system, pressed Boshielo to explain the circumstances surrounding the tender scandal and the broader implications for the internal functioning of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The scandal traces back to a R360 million contract awarded in 2024 to Medicare24 Tshwane District, a company linked to Matlala, to provide health services to SAPS employees.
Documents show the contract yielded profits exceeding R48 million before National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola abruptly cancelled the deal.
Boshielo recounted that she was alerted by Sibiya about suspicions concerning the tender.
Sibiya reportedly warned her: ‘Be careful, there were attempts to bug your phone.’
She recalled receiving a warning, along with her own decision to involve the police commissioner, Fannie Masemola, in the investigation.
Despite the gravity of the signals, Boshielo stated she refrained from intervening directly, emphasising the limits of her remit.
“The deputy Minister doesn’t deal with procurement issues; the National Commissioner, as the accounting officer, does.” She confirmed forwarding the concerns to both Commissioner Masemola and other relevant authorities for further scrutiny.
The probe, ultimately found no conclusive evidence to validate the allegations surrounding the matter.
Boshielo stated that Masemola had expressed concerns that there were individuals within the SAPS attempting to create divisions within the top police structure.
“People want to bring friction between us because they see us working well together.”
However, the episode has revealed deeper tensions and factionalism within the police, revealing a complex web of political interests, security surveillance, procurement mechanisms, and alleged sabotage attempts.
Boshielo’s testimony also tangled with ongoing controversies surrounding suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu ordered the disbandment of the politically sensitive Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
This unit is credited with investigating a series of high-profile political assassinations across the country.
According to Mkhwanazi, the disbandment was intended to protect a criminal syndicate, including Matlala, allegedly linked to Mchunu, casting a troubling shadow over police operations and institutional integrity.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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