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News24

3 days ago

Informative #cat-matlala #nedbank #or-tambo-airport #corruption #state-capture #police #timbisa-hospital #news24-investigations #organised-crime #midlunga-commission

News24 reveals Cat Matlala's failed R70m airport lounge scheme with Nedbank

Podcast Briefing 2:45

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Key Strategic Points

  1. 1 Matlala sought R70 million annually from Nedbank for a VIP airport lounge that would have provided him unrestricted access to both landside and airside areas of O.R. Tambo International Airport, including the tarmac.
  2. 2 The pitch document falsely claimed Matlala had experience in catering, event management at Montecasino, and running restaurants including one called 'Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner,' none of which could be verified by News24's investigation.
  3. 3 Nedbank proceeded with meetings and site visits regarding the deal months after News24 had already published investigations linking Matlala to dubious hospital tenders and illegal use of blue lights, raising questions about the bank's due diligence.
  4. 4 Matlala is currently imprisoned at Ebongi super-maximum security prison in a cell for 23 hours daily, facing charges related to a series of botched assassinations and pending corruption investigations into his R360 million police tender.
  5. 5 Journalist Jeff Wixs raised concerns that had the prosecution of the Timbisa Hospital scandal proceeded at normal pace, Matlala may not have been able to pursue the Nedbank opportunity or subsequently win the R360 million tender.

Notable Quotes

“Imagine a scenario now where Cat Matlala is in charge of security screenings and customs controls at one of the nation's most sensitive key points. He's currently framed as someone deeply entrenched in the criminal underworld, facing a raft of criminal charges, and according to former police commissioner Khaya Sitole's allegations, he's central to the capture of the police.”

— Jeff Wixs, investigative journalist, News24

“He's a liar. We've proven it in our investigation already, but this document goes further because when you look at every business endeavor that he embarked on, he tailored himself as having experience in that industry.”

— Jeff Wixs, investigative journalist, News24

“It's hard for me to reconcile that someone with so much muck hanging over his head is able to be so successful. Had the prosecution of the Timbisa hospital scandal moved at the pace it should have, we probably wouldn't have seen this situation.”

— Jeff Wixs, investigative journalist, News24

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