Story audio is generated using AI
Pretoria magistrate Ignatius du Preez on Wednesday tossed aside a plea agreement Vusi Matlala made with the NPA, saying it was too lenient for the charges he was trying to escape.He said Matlala, who is facing corruption and fraud charges, was only using the plea as a bargaining tool to secure a lenient sentence. Du Preez said the accused lacked genuine remorse and there were no convincing personal mitigating factors.On Wednesday Matlala appeared before Du Preez, who was expected to hand down judgment in the plea and sentence agreement between the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) and Matlala.Both Idac and Matlala had agreed on an eight-year sentence in exchange for information that would see more senior police members arrested and prosecuted, according to the state.The agreement needed an approval by the court to take effect.But the court found that the eight years’ direct imprisonment proposed for Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala was too lenient for the fraud and corruption charges he faces.Du Preez suggested Matlala be sentenced to 12 years of direct imprisonment.He postponed the matter to allow Matlala’s representative to consult with him and subsequently consult with the state on whether they agree to the court’s proposed sentence.After a short adjournment, the defence requested more time to consult with their client. As a result, the matter has been postponed to July 13.Before tossing the plea agreement out, Du Preez highlighted the provisions, limitations and implementations of section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act, which was used to enter into the agreement between Matlala and Idac.He said Matlala’s personal circumstances, which include the fact that he is a primary carer for nine children, were not a mitigating factor, as he does not live with all the children.[WATCH] NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says they cannot use Matlala’s affidavit [to get more senior police arrested] until the court finalises the plea and agreement sentences.@Sowetan1981 pic.twitter.com/9wJ1arowOo— The journalist (@Moloi_Herman1) July 1, 2026
