Johannesburg — February 6, 2024 — A South African police brigadier’s romantic relationship with a woman at the center of a controversial tender has ignited a firestorm of allegations involving bribery and influence peddling. Brigadier Rachel Matjeng admitted to receiving payments from businesswoman Irene Matlala, characterizing them as gifts, while investigators question whether they were, in fact, bribes.
Matlala’s ‘Gifts’ to Police Brigadier Under Scrutiny
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The Madlanga Inquiry is unraveling a complex web of relationships and financial transactions, raising serious questions about potential corruption within the South African Police Service.
- Brigadier Rachel Matjeng confirmed a romantic relationship with Irene Matlala.
- Matlala allegedly made payments totaling 300,000 rand to Matjeng.
- The payments are being investigated as potential bribes related to a police tender.
- Matjeng testified she believed the money was for personal use and not related to her official duties.
- The Madlanga Commission is examining allegations of irregular procurement practices within SAPS.
What constitutes a gift versus a bribe? That’s the central question facing the Madlanga Commission as it probes allegations of corruption surrounding a 2016 tender for the supply of emergency prescripts to the South African Police Service (SAPS). The inquiry has revealed a close personal relationship between Matlala, the director of Nethembani Trading, and Matjeng, a senior SAPS officer.
A Romantic Relationship Revealed
Matjeng testified before the commission on February 5, 2024, detailing her romantic involvement with Matlala, which began in 2016 and continued for several years. She acknowledged receiving payments from Matlala, totaling 300,000 rand, deposited into her bank account between November 2016 and March 2017. However, Matjeng maintained that she believed these payments were personal gifts from a lover, not inducements related to the tender process.
The Tender in Question
Nethembani Trading was awarded the tender for emergency prescripts, valued at approximately 19 million rand. The commission is investigating whether Matjeng used her position within SAPS to influence the awarding of the tender to Matlala’s company. Testimony has suggested that Nethembani Trading was not the lowest bidder, raising further suspicions about the fairness of the procurement process.
According to testimony, Matlala’s company was awarded the tender despite concerns raised by other bidders regarding pricing and the quality of the goods offered. The commission is examining whether Matjeng improperly influenced the evaluation process to favor Nethembani Trading.
Payments Described as ‘Gifts’
Matjeng insisted that the payments she received from Matlala were not linked to the tender. She described them as gestures of affection from someone she cared for deeply. However, investigators are scrutinizing bank records and other evidence to determine whether the timing and amounts of the payments coincide with key stages of the tender process.
“I believed these were gifts from someone I was in a relationship with,” Matjeng told the commission. “I did not see them as anything more than that.”
Scrutiny of Financial Transactions
The commission has presented evidence showing a series of deposits made by Matlala into Matjeng’s personal bank account. The deposits ranged in amount, but collectively totaled 300,000 rand. Investigators are attempting to establish the purpose of these payments and whether they were intended to influence Matjeng’s decisions regarding the tender.
The inquiry continues, with further testimony expected from other witnesses involved in the tender process. The Madlanga Commission aims to uncover the truth behind the allegations of corruption and ensure accountability for any wrongdoing.
FAQ
Q: What is Brigadier Matjeng accused of?
A: Brigadier Matjeng is accused of potentially using her position within SAPS to improperly influence the awarding of a tender to a company owned by a woman she was romantically involved with, and of receiving bribes disguised as gifts.
Q: How much money did Matlala allegedly pay to Matjeng?
A: Irene Matlala allegedly paid Brigadier Rachel Matjeng 300,000 rand between November 2016 and March 2017.
Q: What is the Madlanga Commission investigating?
A: The Madlanga Commission is investigating allegations of irregular procurement practices within the South African Police Service, specifically concerning a 2016 tender for emergency prescripts.
