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Some 12 senior police officers as well as alleged underground boss, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, have appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges of corruption, fraud and the Contravention of the PFMA.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the charges stem from the alleged irregular awarding of a tender to Matlala’s company, Medicare 24.

“Treasury regulations were violated and Matlala and Medicare24 were favoured by SAPS BEC members which will become apparent from the evidence later in the process.

“Medicare24 did not have the facilities/equipment and/or staff to make good on the tender, which was budgeted for approximately R360 million, but owing to the collusion between the SAPS officials and Medicare 24, the lowest bid, which was approximately R228 million, which bid came from Matlala, was awarded this contract, nonetheless.

“Matlala received a payment of just over R50 million before the unlawful contract was cancelled by SAPS. Some of the accused also benefitted financially from this contract through money received from Matlala to which they were not entitled to,” the NPA said. 

The accused in the matter are:

• Matlala together with James Murray (service provider)
• Captain Brian Neville
• Brigadier Rachel Matjeng
• Brigadier Alpheus Thembinkosi Ngema
• Brigadier Patrick Nethengwe
• Tumisho Nehemiah Maleka (Procurement Officer)
• Major General Busisiwe Precious Temba
• Brigadier Kirsty Jonker
• Brigadier Petunia Reabetsoe Lenono
• Brigadier Onica Ofentse Tlhoale
• Colonel Nonjabulo Nomfundo Mngadi
• Colonel Anton Paulsen
• Colonel Natsenge Johannes Monyai

“There are 14 accused on the roll which include Matlala and 12 are members of the SAPS ranging in rank from Brigadier to Captain, two entities and a director of one of the entities.

“This matter again highlights how tender processes in government including law enforcement are compromised through government officials who are prepared to compromise themselves and their institutions just to make money on the side or to pay back favours.

“The matter was referred to IDAC [Investigating Directorate Against Corruption] in 2024 by a component of SAPS. The arrests show that agencies are still able to deal with corruption and effectively so,” the NPA said. 

Matlala told the court that he would not apply for bail at this stage and his matter was postponed to 07 April 2026 to consult with his attorney.

The rest of the accused were granted bail of between R40 000 and R80 000 with stringent conditions attached. – SAnews.gov.za

The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre has been transformed into a hub for the regenerative blue economy as the second day of the Ocean Innovation Africa Summit reaches its peak.

The three-day summit, from 23 to 25 March 2026, has brought together about 500 delegates, including innovators, policymakers, investors and industry leaders, with the aim to drive the continent’s blue economy forward.

Discussions have centred on key priorities, including scaling regenerative blue business models, promoting nature-positive growth, enhancing marine protection, expanding economic opportunities, strengthening community resilience, and building Pan-African innovation ecosystems.

On Tuesday, 24 March, the programme shifted from high-level plenary discussions to more practical engagements, further positioning Durban as a growing player in Africa’s maritime development.

Activities included immersive technology showcases, highlighting innovative solutions aimed at transforming how people interact with the ocean environment.

A significant focus has also been the summit’s dedicated business-to-business engagement platform, which has facilitated face-to-face meetings between global investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.

These engagements are expected to unlock partnerships and investment opportunities needed to advancing Africa’s blue economy.

The programme also featured targeted workshops designed to translate strategy into tangible outcomes. Key sessions included the municipality’s Blue Finance workshop, Artificial Intelligence for Good initiatives, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – African Union Commission (AUC) Accelerator Programme validation.

These engagements aim to bridge the gap between international frameworks and local economic opportunities.

Takalani Rathiyaya from the city’s Economic Development Directorate described the summit as a catalyst for local growth.

“The Ocean Innovation Africa Summit is one of the City Manager’s flagship programmes. Our biggest asset is our ocean, and our residents must benefit from this dialogue,” Rathiyaya said.

He added that the workshops are aligned with the Blue Charter, ensuring the municipality implements tangible programmes to empower local businesses.

Outcomes from the day’s engagements demonstrated that the summit is evolving beyond a platform for dialogue into a space for collaboration and investment.

By linking international investors with local innovation and capacity, the event is reinforcing Durban’s position within the global blue economy.

As the summit concludes on Wednesday, the focus remains on ensuring that investment in the ocean economy translates into sustainable local development, job creation, and the protection of vital marine resources. – SAnews.gov.za

Government has welcomed the arrest of 12 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and a company director in relation to a tender that was awarded irregularly to Medicare 24. 

All accused were expected to make their first appearance before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on charges of corruption, fraud and the Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

They were arrested by the Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

“These arrests send a clear and necessary message that no individual, including those entrusted with enforcing the law, is above scrutiny or beyond the reach of law enforcement,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said.

Government has commended the work of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption and other law enforcement authorities for acting decisively in this matter. 

“Their actions demonstrate that accountability mechanisms are functioning and that wrongdoing within the public service will be confronted directly.

“The integrity of law-enforcement institutions is fundamental to public trust, and it is therefore critical that such matters are investigated thoroughly and prosecuted without fear or favour,” the GCIS said.

Government added that the arrests serve as a firm reminder across the public sector that ethical leadership, transparent procurement practices and strict compliance with policies, such as the Public Finance Management Act, are non-negotiable obligations.

“Government is committed to ensuring that law-enforcement institutions are credible, professional and beyond reproach. Strengthening oversight, enforcing consequence management and protecting public resources remain essential to restoring and sustaining public confidence.” –SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google aimed at advancing digital skills development and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in South Africa’s education sector.

The signing ceremony will take place at Google’s Johannesburg offices in Bryanston on Monday, 30 March 2026, and will be facilitated by Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Mimmy Gondwe.

The landmark agreement is expected to advance digital skills, integrate AI into higher education institutions, and support workforce development in South Africa.

This marks the fourth successful public-private partnership for student and youth skills development concluded by the Deputy Minister.

According to the department, the MoU will prioritise access to training initiatives, including 5 000 Google Career Certificate scholarships in fields such as AI Essentials, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics, among others.

The scholarships will target students, educators, and IT staff in selected public universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, with a particular focus on rural and township communities.

“Google will offer AI training for educators through programmes like Generative AI for Educators and collaborate on a train-the-trainer model to enable broader skills dissemination,” the department explained.

The partnership will also focus on curriculum development, with Google facilitating access to AI and technology curricula, co-creating localised content, and supporting integration at institutional level.

In addition, the agreement includes technology support measures such as deploying ChromeOS Flex to revitalise existing hardware, providing strategic hardware advisory services, and strengthening institutional IT capacity through advanced training.

The MoU further provides for collaboration on policy and governance, including the sharing of expertise on AI policy development and access to relevant Google AI tools for public institutions.

The signing ceremony will be led by the Deputy Minister and attended by students, departmental officials, and senior Google executives. The event will also feature demonstrations of Google’s AI programmes. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, has called for a shift in how development is funded, urging global leaders to prioritise measurable impact over expenditure.

This as she officially opened the 2026 Outcomes Finance Alliance Summit in Cape Town.

Addressing delegates from government, the private sector, philanthropy and civil society, Mhlauli said the world faces mounting and interconnected challenges, including rising youth unemployment, persistent poverty, strained health and education systems, and the growing impact of climate change.

“At its core, this Summit speaks to one of the most urgent questions of our time: how do we ensure that every rand, every dollar, and every investment delivers meaningful, measurable change in people’s lives,” she said.

The summit, hosted in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council and other stakeholders, brings together global leaders and policymakers to advance outcomes-based financing as a tool to accelerate social and economic development.

Mhlauli said outcomes-based financing represents a necessary evolution in development finance, shifting the focus from inputs and activities to results and impact.

“Governments are being called upon to do more with less, while citizens demand accountability, transparency and results. Outcomes-based financing responds directly to this reality,” she said.

She highlighted South Africa’s progress in implementing the model, pointing to the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund as one of the largest globally focused models on employment.

Through the R300 million fund, government pays for verified employment outcomes rather than activities, with over 9 100 verified enrolments and more than 6 800 job placements achieved to date. More than R220 million has already been disbursed based on independently verified results.

“This is not a pilot in theory. It is a demonstration, at scale, that outcomes-based financing can deliver real, measurable employment results,” Mhlauli said.

The initiative targets young people not in employment, education or training, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, particularly for women and those in underserved communities. 

Implementing partners such as BlueLever, Swift and Afrika Tikkun have played a key role in delivering training and job placement support.

Mhlauli said the programme has not only created employment opportunities but restored dignity and hope among young beneficiaries.

“These are not abstract outcomes. They are real transformations. They remind us that outcomes-based financing is about unlocking human potential at scale,” she said.

She also pointed to progress in early childhood development through outcomes-based funding models aimed at improving school readiness and child wellbeing, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

However, Mhlauli stressed that the success of outcomes-based financing depends on strong partnerships across sectors.

“It requires trust, shared risk, and a willingness to move beyond traditional silos,” she said, adding that collaboration between governments, investors, philanthropies and service providers is critical to scaling impact.

The Deputy Minister urged participants to move beyond discussions and commit to concrete actions that will strengthen the global outcomes financing ecosystem.

“We must move from dialogue to action. We must identify practical pathways to scale. We must strengthen the pipeline of investable opportunities.

“We must build the institutional capacity required within governments and implementing organisations. And we must ensure that the benefits of outcomes-based financing reach those who need it most,” she said.

Mhlauli said South Africa remains committed to playing a leading role in advancing innovative financing models that promote accountability, improve service delivery and drive inclusive growth.

She further encouraged participants to use this Summit as an opportunity to share lessons openly, to build meaningful partnerships, and to commit to concrete actions that will advance the outcomes financing ecosystem globally.

“Let us work together to ensure that financing is not only mobilised, but that it delivers real, measurable, and lasting outcomes,” she said. 

The Outcomes Finance Alliance Summit runs from 25 March, bringing together global stakeholders to explore ways to expand outcomes-based financing across sectors such as health, education, climate and job creation. – SAnews.gov.za