9 hours ago
9
Johannesburg – Testimony at the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday has shone a spotlight on alleged corruption and improper relationships within South Africa’s police ranks, revealing how attempted murder-accused tenderpreneur Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala reportedly maintained close ties with powerful law enforcement figures, a businessman, and an academic.
The hearings follow explosive claims in July by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that organised criminals had infiltrated the justice system, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish the commission to probe alleged political interference and corruption.
An unidentified witness, referred to as “Witness X”, detailed WhatsApp exchanges recovered from Matlala’s phone after his arrest for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane. These messages allegedly show a “close and beneficial relationship” with KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major General Lesetja Senona, who reportedly referred to Matlala as “my brother”.
Similarly, acting chief of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), Julius Mkhwanazi, called Matlala “my blood brother” in messages that revealed Matlala sought the EMPD head’s assistance when his driver, Given Makofane, was arrested for speeding. Witness X said Senona’s son, Thato, also sent Matlala identification and business documents, likely for FICA compliance, with exchanges suggesting a potential property purchase on behalf of Thato or his TSB Shuttle business, though no confirmation of such a purchase exists.
Initially scheduled to testify remotely, Witness X’s evidence had to be cut short due to security concerns with the line. Evidence leader Adila Hassim SC subsequently read X’s statement, detailing Matlala’s interactions with Senona, Thato, Julius Mkhwanazi, academic Calvin Rafadi, and businessman Suleiman Carrim.
According to X, Senona allegedly assisted Matlala in paying invoices submitted by his company, Medicare24 Tswane District, and shared information regarding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). Mkhwanazi has previously argued that suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu’s decision to disband the PKTT protected Matlala and other criminal associates from investigation.
Witness X also presented evidence suggesting Matlala believed payments to information broker Brown Mogotsi were funding Mchunu’s political ambitions. However, no direct messages between Matlala and Mchunu were found.
The commission heard that days before disbanding the PKTT, Mchunu requested an investigation into Matlala’s R360 million police health services tender. In June 2024, Medicare24 Tswane District, then directed solely by Matlala, was awarded a three-year contract to provide “health risk management” services to police officers. This award coincided with Matlala’s involvement in a nearly R3 billion Special Investigating Unit probe into Tembisa Hospital contracts and an ongoing Hawks fraud and corruption investigation.
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed that four days after News24 reported on Matlala’s tender, Mchunu requested that the contract be investigated. By May 2025, the contract had been cancelled following an audit that flagged illegality, shortly before Matlala’s arrest.
Matlala’s communications with Carrim, into whose company Medicare24 paid R2.5 million, revealed frustration over delayed payments for the tender. One message suggested Carrim projected influence over Mchunu, stating:
“I think we should see him together.”
Matlala responded: “You’ll let me know when he is ready.”
Another message purportedly from Carrim to Mchunu instructed that orders be stalled until a reason for termination could be justified, which Matlala then forwarded to Mogotsi.
In a particularly concerning development, Witness X described Matlala sending multiple documents to Senona, including a Lexis Nexus Windeeds search on the Senzo and Thembeka Mchunu Foundation and a “BizTraces” document containing multiple identity numbers of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The document reportedly contained recommendations for destroying company records at CIPRO, SARS, and courts, as well as closing related bank accounts.
Witness X said it was unclear what the full meaning of these documents was, but BizTraces was registered to academic Calvin Rafadi, who had repeatedly asked Matlala for money, rent, tuition, and petrol in exchange for promoting a media narrative favourable to Matlala regarding the PKTT. Rafadi subsequently conducted interviews for Newzroom Afrika and PowerFM, praising Mchunu’s decision to disband the task team, which he described as a “rogue unit fighting Major General (Feroz) Khan for power in Crime Intelligence.”
The commission continues its proceedings on Thursday, with further testimony expected to shed light on the intricate network of alleged corruption, political interference, and the role of law enforcement officials in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
English (US)