Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is a South African businessman often described as a “tenderpreneur” whose rapid rise through government contracts and security‑services businesses catapulted him into the public eye. In recent years, he has also become the focus of criminal investigations and heated public controversy. This blog post delves into Cat Matlala’s life: his origins, family background, business career, alleged wrongdoings, estimated wealth, and the legacy he is likely to leave.
Biography
Early Life and Background
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was born on 3 November 1976, which makes him 49 years old as of 2025. He reportedly grew up in a modest household, raised by a single mother in the township of Mamelodi, Pretoria.
Matlala attended Lethlabile High School in Pretoria. After matriculating, rather than pursuing extended formal education, he ventured into informal business, initially buying and selling goods. Over time, he gravitated toward security services and government tenders, setting the stage for his later rise.
Personal Life and Family
Matlala is married to Tsakani Matlala (sometimes spelled Tsakane), and together they share nine children. He confirmed that his nickname “Cat” stems from having nine children.
Notably, Matlala has described himself as “the only child” of his late mother, who passed away in 2005. He currently lives with his wife and children, supporting all nine of them.
Because Matlala has maintained a largely private personal life, public details about his children’s identities, their ages or upbringing remain scarce.
Career Overview
From Small Business to Security & Contract Empire
After matriculating, Matlala’s entrepreneurial journey began modestly, buying and selling goods. Over time, he formalized his business presence. In 2017, he registered a security company his first formally recognized business venture.
From there, his business interests grew to include multiple companies in security, trading, and health-service provisioning. Among these are:
- CAT VIP Protection Pty Ltd
- Lux South Africa Investments Pty Ltd
- Black AK Trading
- Medicare24 Tshwane District Pty Ltd
Matlala described himself as director of four companies, mainly based in Pretoria.
Breakthrough: Government Tenders
Matlala’s big breakthrough came when Medicare24 Tshwane District landed a large contract with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in 2024. The contract, reportedly worth R360 million, was to provide health services and medical surveillance to police officers.
Internal documents suggest the contract had already generated significant profits in the tens of millions of rands before it was abruptly cancelled by the police commissioner due to alleged procurement irregularities.
Beyond healthcare, Matlala’s security firms and trading companies reportedly competed for, and sometimes won, other government tenders. This expansion into public procurement and security services earned him the label “tenderpreneur” a term used for businessmen who build fortunes through state contracts.
Business Scale and Assets
In a bail affidavit submitted in 2025, Matlala said he earned about R250,000 per month from his businesses.
He declared ownership of properties, including a house in Midstream Ridge, Ekurhuleni (worth about R6.6 million) and another in Mamelodi East, Pretoria (worth roughly R1.1 million).
He also claimed to own a fleet of luxury cars: a Mercedes‑Benz SUV and six BMW sedans, with a combined estimated value of around R6 million.
Controversies and Criticisms
Unfortunately for Matlala, his rise has been accompanied by a web of serious accusations, from alleged corruption and tender fraud to violent crime and murder plots.
SAPS Tender Scandal & Government Contracts Scrutiny
The R360 million SAPS tender awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District came under intense scrutiny. Investigators cited “procurement irregularities,” misrepresentation, and “fronting” allegations suggesting that the company’s bid may have been unfairly advantaged.
As a result of these allegations, SAPS cancelled the contract, prompting investigations into misuse of state funds and possible collusion.
Media reports and forensic audits have also linked other tenders tied to Matlala’s network to the massive Tembisa Hospital scandal, one of the biggest corruption cases in Gauteng’s health system. The scandal previously gained national attention after whistleblower Babita Deokaran exposed suspicious payments, only to be tragically murdered in 2021.
Criminal Charges: Violent Crime & Alleged Murder Plots
In May 2025, Matlala was arrested and charged with multiple counts including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, charges stemming especially from a 2023 shooting incident on the N1 highway near Sandton involving his former girlfriend, actress and influencer Tebogo Thobejane.
According to prosecutors, this incident is just one among several alleged hit plots connected to Matlala with other targets reportedly including a taxi boss and a DJ.
During bail proceedings, the state argued Matlala posed a flight risk. They noted that he allegedly had access to unregistered firearms, offshore assets (jet, boat, foreign accounts) and could potentially evade justice if released.
Moreover, high-ranking officials have accused him of running a criminal syndicate that allegedly compromised law enforcement investigations in exchange for political protection, claims that rocked South Africa’s political-security establishment.
Public Image & Fallout
These combined controversies allegations of fraud, corruption, and violence have seriously tarnished Matlala’s public image. What once might have been viewed as a self-made businessman now raises concerns about abuse of state systems, potential organized crime, and erosion of public trust.
His companies have lost major contracts. Jobs have been lost by employees, and ongoing investigations cast doubt on the future of his business empire. For many, Matlala’s name has become synonymous with the kind of excessive tenderpreneurship and corruption that South Africa continues battling.
Net Worth and Financial Overview
Estimating the net worth of a controversial figure like Matlala is challenging, especially amid asset freezes, legal proceedings, and conflicting reports. Nevertheless, several sources give rough estimates and publicly declared asset values.
- Matlala’s net worth is estimated between R100 million and R150 million.
- His declared assets — real estate, vehicles, furniture and household contents — include properties in Pretoria/Ekurhuleni (worth several millions), a luxury car fleet, and other luxury goods.
- In his 2025 bail affidavit, he said he earned around R250,000 per month from his businesses.
However, due to ongoing legal scrutiny including asset freezes and investigations by the authorities it’s uncertain how much of this wealth remains liquid or protected.
Given these dynamics, any net-worth estimate must be treated with caution: while headline figures exist, potential liabilities, asset seizures, and reputational damage could greatly reduce actual accessible wealth over time.
Legacy and Significance
The story of Cat Matlala is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked tenderpreneurship, weak oversight, and the entanglement of business, crime, and politics. His rise from humble beginnings to billionaire-style opulence followed by a dramatic fall under criminal charges, highlights systemic vulnerabilities in how public contracts are awarded and monitored.
If convicted, Matlala’s legacy may become a symbol of corruption and impunity, a rallying point for reforms in South Africa’s procurement systems and oversight institutions. For victims of misused public funds, and for taxpayers, he could be remembered as a figure whose ambition exploited cracks in governance.
However, for others, Matlala might also represent a darker underbelly of “success”: how ill-gotten wealth can corrupt institutions and jeopardize public trust. Regardless of the final legal outcome, his case is likely to shape debates around transparency, accountability, and reform in South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Cat Matlala?
Cat Matlala is the nickname of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a South African businessman and tenderpreneur known for security-services firms and lucrative government contracts.
How old is Cat Matlala?
He was born on 3 November 1976, making him 49 years old as of 2025.
Is Cat Matlala married?
Yes. He is married to Tsakani Matlala. The couple reportedly has nine children together.
What is the source of Cat Matlala’s wealth?
His wealth mainly comes from companies he controls that secured large state tenders particularly in security services and healthcare contracts, plus real estate and luxury assets like vehicles.
What criminal charges does Matlala face?
As of 2025, he faces multiple charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud — notably connected to a 2023 shooting of his ex-girlfriend.
What happened to the major SAPS contract awarded to his company?
The contract reportedly worth R360 million was cancelled due to alleged procurement irregularities, misrepresentation, and fronting. Subsequent investigations were launched.
What is Cat Matlala’s estimated net worth?
Estimates put his net worth in the range of R100 million to R150 million (roughly several million U.S. dollars), though legal proceedings, asset freezes, and reputational damage make actual wealth uncertain.
Conclusion
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s life represents both ambition and controversy. From humble beginnings in Pretoria, he rose to prominence through security firms and major state contracts. Yet that rise has been overshadowed by serious allegations from alleged tender fraud to violent crime and political corruption.
As his legal battles unfold, Matlala may well become a symbol of systemic failures: unchecked public procurement, weak oversight, and the convergence of business and crime. His legacy if not reformed could be a cautionary tale for South Africa and beyond.
At the same time, his story underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and institutional safeguards to prevent abuse of power and public resources. Only time will tell whether the full scale of his influence and alleged wrongdoing will be exposed and whether justice will prevail.
Disclaimer: This biography is compiled from publicly available information and is meant solely for informational purposes. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, certain details may vary or be open to interpretation.
