Cat Matlala withdraws from plea deal in South African police corruption case

Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala has withdrawn from a plea agreement, preventing prosecutors from using his evidence against senior police officials.

• Matlala withdrew from the plea deal after a magistrate recommended a 12-year sentence instead of the agreed eight.
• He had pleaded guilty last month to corruption, fraud and money-laundering charges as part of a deal to turn state witness.
• The deal required him to testify against 12 suspects, including police chief Gen Fannie Masemola, who denies all charges.
• National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the state still has a strong case but can no longer use Matlala's affidavit.