The plea deal would have seen Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala turn state witness

🌐 Here's What Happened

Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala, a key figure in a ongoing police corruption inquiry in South Africa, has withdrawn from a controversial plea deal serving a blow to prosecutors.

The business tycoon pulled out of the agreement after a South African court recommended a higher jail sentence - 12 years instead of the agreed eight.

Matlala was accused of bribing top police officials to win a 360m rand ($22m; £16.5m) tender for his health company Medicare24 in 2024.

📌 Key Details

He pleaded guilty last month, as part of a deal that could have seen Matlala giving key evidence against senior officials.

Though disappointed by Matlala's U-turn, the state still believes it has a "strong and winnable case", Kaizer Kganyago, a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) told journalists on Monday.

Prosecutors had initially offered Matlala a reduced eight-year prison term instead of the prescribed 15.

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In return, Matlala plead guilty to corruption, fraud and money-laundering charges.

📰 Source: BBC Africa