While the headlines are focused on the 12 high-ranking SAPS arrests in Pretoria, the Eastern Cape – and specifically our two Algo Bay seaports – are emerging as a critical operational hub for the “Big Five” cartel.
The NMB & Eastern Cape “Connection”
The testimony from “Witness A” and “Witness B” has highlighted that the cartel isn’t just a Gauteng or KZN problem; it is actively shifting its logistics to avoid the heat in Durban.
Port Pivot: Investigations show the “Big Five” has begun utilizing Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Ngqura seaports to move drug shipments. As Durban’s harbor comes under intense scrutiny, the cartel is reportedly viewing the Eastern Cape’s smaller ports as “vulnerable entry points” with less oversight.
The “Tetra” Tender: A specific tender, 19/1/9/1/11 TR(24) Eastern Cape, has been flagged in connection with the broader Medicare 24 scandal. While the main R360 million contract was for “Tshwane District,” this Eastern Cape-specific variant is under forensic audit for the same “fronting” and “falsification” patterns used by Cat Matlala’s entities.
Regional Arrests: Among the 12 officials granted bail this week, Major-General Busisiwe Temba has been explicitly linked to oversight in the “Eastern Cape (eastern half)” in recent reports, suggesting the infiltration reaches well into the provincial command.
Local Incidents & “Distractions”
- The Mthatha Fire: On March 24, 2026—the same day the 12 senior officers were being processed in court—the 11-storey Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha was gutted by fire. While officially a “service disruption,” local analysts at the commission are questioning if the timing was a calculated distraction or an attempt to destroy localized records related to Eastern Cape procurement.
- The Missing Docket Syndrome: The Cradock Four inquest currently sitting in the Gqeberha High Court is mirroring the commission’s findings, with reports of “lost original dockets” and political interference that match the patterns described by Sergeant Fannie Nkosi in his testimony.
Primary figures currently linked to the “Big Five” / Medicare 24 fallout:
- Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala: Alleged Kingpin; Director of Medicare 24 (In custody; bail denied.)
- Major-Gen. Richard Shibiri: Accused of blocking bail for cartel-linked suspects (Under investigation by IDAC.)
- Brig. Kirsty Jonker: Implicated in the R360m health tender (Granted R40,000 bail.)
- “The Firm”: The umbrella organization for the Big Five (Alleged political and SAPS-wide network.)
Insider Tip:
The commission is currently moving into “Phase 3,” which will focus on the Private Security Fronts used by the cartel. Watch for any local NMB security firms that suddenly lose their SAPS or Municipal contracts—they might be the next to be named.
Tender 19/1/9/1/11 TR(24):
This tender was for the “Eastern Cape Tetra Radio Network System Upgrade,” valued at approximately R130 million. It was managed by the SAPS Division: Technology Management Service (TMS).
Role Players:
- Awarded Contractor: Thembakele Consulting Engineers – Awarded the 36-month contract. Currently being audited for “specification tailoring” similar to the Medicare 24 case.
- Project Location: SAPS Radio Technical (Gqeberha) Located at Corner Searle and Roos, Schauderville – This is the central node for the EC radio upgrade.
- Technical Lead: Lt. Col. Mahlaule – Named as the primary contact for the technical specifications of the 11TR bid.
The Medicare 24 “Shadow” in the Eastern Cape
While Medicare 24 Tshwane District (Tender 19/1/9/1/94TP) was the “parent” contract for wellness services, the Commission has revealed that the company claimed to have operational “hubs” in all nine provinces to win the bid.
Investigation into their Eastern Cape footprint found:
- No Physical Infrastructure: Despite winning the national bid, Medicare 24 reportedly had no clinics or staff in Gqeberha or East London.
- The Gqeberha “Referral” Scheme: It is alleged that Brigadier Rachel Matjeng (Accused No. 3) used her position to refer Eastern Cape SAPS members to “ghost” providers or unaccredited local sub-contractors to generate R14 million in fraudulent invoices for services never rendered in the province.
- Sub-Contractor Scrutiny: The IDAC is currently investigating three small Gqeberha-based medical consulting firms that allegedly allowed Medicare 24 to use their practice numbers to bypass the “lack of capacity” flags during the initial audit.
The “11TR” Tetra Radio contract is vital for local service delivery because if the upgrade is stalled due to the current corruption probe, it directly impacts the SAPS’s ability to coordinate in Gqeberha’s high-crime areas. The Tetra system is the backbone of police radio communication; a failed upgrade means “dead zones” in emergency response.
