Blue light services, legal, health, mayoral VIP Protection Services, and the administration of the Workmen’s Compensation Fund are among the key services illegally tried to outsource to attempted murder-accused tenderpreneur Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s companies.

The Madlanga Commission heard on Monday that Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi allegedly tried to outsource services illegally to Matlala’s Medicare24 and CAT VIP Security Services.

This was the testimony of Revo Spies, the retired EMPD Metro Police chief for Auxiliary and Logistical Support.

It was revealed that Mkhwanazi did not just want to outsource blue lights and law enforcement services; even health and legal services were considered being outsourced to Medicare24.

This information was contained in the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Mkhwanazi on behalf of EMPD and CAT VIP and Medicare24, without the knowledge of Mkhwanazi’s boss.

According to Spies, the memorandums in question would have forced the EMPD to report crime to CAT VIP instead of the SAPS, had they been allowed to go through.

The Commission also heard that Mkhwanazi had offered CAT VIP Security the services of the combined use of blue and red lights, which Spies said the EMPD doesn’t have, but are only available to the SAPS.

The MOUs, illegally signed by Mkhwanazi, read “Medicare24, Anabis Protection Services can assist when needed. All members are registered with Psira and are issued firearms through our VIP Protection Unit, that are owned by Medicare24 Holdings.”

It added, “The CEO’s health qualifications and legal degree can assist when needed in the event of a drug bust, and I (Medicare24) can give legal advice when needed. Medicare24 can assist with drawing blood at roadblocks for you (EMPD), and staff will be available. 

The MOUs also mentioned that “Medicare24 can also manage your Workmen’s Compensation Fund for injuries on duty.” 

Spies explained to the Commission that only a qualified and registered medical doctor or nurse can draw blood at a roadblock. EMPD is limited to using breathalysers.

He added that the Workmen’s Compensation Fund is also a very contentious issue, because EMPD, as an employer, is registered with the Compensation Commissioner, who oversees the Fund, and EMPD has staff who deal with compensation within the department. It is not dealt with by outsiders.

Commissioner Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC remarked that Medicare24 was technically taking over all the services provided by the EMPD, and acting for and on behalf of EMPD.

Spies then said that the MOUs signed by Mkhwanazi with CAT VIP and Medicare24 meant the EMPD would now have to report crimes to CAT VIP instead of the police.

In accepting the deal, CAT VIP stated that, “By signing this memorandum of understanding, CAT VIP agrees to provide Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department with the following: two BMW vehicles, one Mercedes-Benz, one VW Golf, which amounts to a number of four vehicles. It (CAT VIP) will also provide the EMPD with a helicopter in which the department will fly for two hours per month when needed for operations, and to assist the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department with VIP Security Services, skills transfers, and tactical training.” 

CAT VIP Security also offered its ‘well-trained staff’ to be part of any operations that may be required by EMPD.

In response, on behalf of EMPD, Mkhwanazi said: “We agree to appoint one dedicated duty officer to focus on crime prevention and community safety in and around the Ekurhuleni metro and to report those who have committed crimes of any nature in any of the roads, in commercial, residential settlements in both urban and rural settlements of the Ekurhuleni Metro.”

Spies stated that it “sounds like the EMPD now has to report crime to a security company instead of the SAPS.”

gcwalisile.khanyile@inl.co.za

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