Key Takeaways:
- Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, a controversial businessman and organized crime accused, testified before Parliament’s ad hoc committee and alleged that former police minister Bheki Cele demanded a R500,000 payment from him.
- Matlala claimed that he made two cash payments to Cele, totaling R500,000, in exchange for the return of his firearms and to stop harassment from the police.
- Matlala also alleged that he had ties to Senzo Mchunu, the sidelined police minister, and paid for flights and accommodation for people linked to Mchunu’s presidential campaign.
- Matlala’s company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District, was irregularly awarded a R360-million contract by the SAPS to provide health screening services, which was later cancelled.
- Matlala’s testimony is scheduled to continue and is expected to cover various topics, including the alleged unlawful disbandment of the SAPS Political Killings Task Team and claims of political interference in SAPS operations.
Introduction to the Testimony
The long-awaited testimony of Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, a controversial businessman and organized crime accused, took place on Wednesday at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria. Matlala appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee, which is investigating allegations of corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system. Matlala’s legs were shackled during his testimony, and he wore a head-to-toe Burberry outfit. The committee traveled from Cape Town to the prison to hear Matlala’s testimony, which is expected to shed light on the alleged infiltration of a drug cartel into South Africa’s policing and political structures.
The Alleged Raid and Demands for Payment
Matlala told the committee about a December 2025 raid at his Waterkloof, Pretoria, home, which led to his relationship with several police officials, including former police minister Bheki Cele and Senzo Mchunu. During the raid, Matlala claimed that the police took his firearms, his guard’s firearms, his watch, and his cellphone. He alleged that Cele later demanded a R500,000 payment from him in exchange for the return of his firearms and to stop harassment from the police. Matlala claimed that he made two cash payments to Cele, totaling R500,000, and that Cele implied that he was not acting alone, which explained why such a large amount was required.
The Alleged Ties to Mchunu
Matlala also alleged that he had ties to Mchunu, the sidelined police minister. He claimed that he paid for flights and accommodation for people linked to Mchunu’s presidential campaign to attend the ANC’s January 8 celebrations in Cape Town. Matlala maintained that he does not know and has never met Mchunu, but that Brown Mogotsi, a North West businessman, requested the funds on Mchunu’s behalf and conveyed his presidential ambitions. Matlala estimated that he paid between R150,000 and R200,000 for the flights and accommodation, but an investigator’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission alleged that Matlala paid R500,000 towards Mchunu’s campaign.
The Irregularly Awarded Contract
Matlala’s company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District, was irregularly awarded a R360-million contract by the SAPS to provide health screening services, which was later cancelled. Evidence leader Norman Arendse SC quizzed Matlala on this issue, but Matlala responded that he was uncomfortable answering questions and feared incriminating himself, as there was ongoing litigation on the issue. Matlala said that he did not think there was anything untoward with him getting the tender, despite the fact that he had not done any similar work with private and state hospitals.
The Concerns about Incrimination
Matlala’s reluctance to answer questions about the contract and other issues led to concerns about incrimination. The ANC’s Khusela Sangoni cautioned that under Parliament’s Powers and Privileges Act, witnesses were compelled to answer questions even if this meant incriminating themselves. However, committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane assured Matlala that the evidence he provided could not be used against him in other forums. Matlala was not convinced, and the session was marked by tensions and disagreements between Matlala and the committee members.
The Testimony to Continue
Matlala’s testimony is scheduled to continue until Friday and is expected to cover various topics, including the alleged unlawful disbandment of the SAPS Political Killings Task Team, the reported moratorium on filling vacancies within the SAPS, alleged corrupt relationships between senior SAPS leadership and members of the public, and claims of political interference in SAPS operations. The committee’s investigation is ongoing, and Matlala’s testimony is expected to provide valuable insights into the alleged corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.