Advocate Santhos Manilall resigns from NPA’s anti-corruption unit

Senior prosecutor Advocate Santhos Manilall, who was leading the prosecution in the controversial Medicare24 corruption case involving Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, has resigned from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) confirmed on Friday that Manilall, a deputy director of public prosecutions at the unit, had tendered his resignation.

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His last working day will be October 31.

The confirmation follows media reports speculating about his departure.

Idac spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the cases Manilall was handling would be reassigned to other prosecutors to ensure that investigations and prosecutions continue without interruption.

“NPA and Idac wishes Advocate Manilall well in his future endeavours,” Mamothame said.

Role in the Medicare24 corruption case

Manilall was leading the prosecution in the case involving Matlala and 14 co-accused, who face charges linked to an alleged R228 million corruption scheme involving a South African Police Service (SAPS) healthcare contract.

The matter is being heard in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. Proceedings against Matlala were postponed to October 29 after plea negotiations with the state collapsed over the proposed sentence.

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Matlala had reportedly rejected a proposed 12-year direct prison sentence, indicating that he was willing to accept an eight-year term.

Meanwhile, charges against suspended National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola, who had also been charged in connection with the Medicare24 tender, were withdrawn following a review of the evidence.

Mentioned during Madlanga Commission testimony

Manilall was also mentioned during testimony by Idac state advocate Drushantha Ramsamy at the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.

Ramsamy referred to a secretly recorded conversation between herself and her former boss, Andrea Johnson, in which she discussed concerns about the Crime Intelligence and Project Diversion investigations.

According to Ramsamy, she had raised her early concerns with Manilall, who allegedly replied that “he had his own problems”. She said he did not act on her warning.

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Idac has not indicated that Manilall’s resignation is connected to the Medicare24 case or the testimony at the commission.