IN CONVERSATION WITH TIEGO KHOZA- POLITICAL ANALYST
Loading player...
Today’s proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry placed alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala firmly in the spotlight. Appearing under subpoena at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, Matlala repeatedly invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination when questioned about the controversial R360 million SAPS Medicare24 tender, a contract already at the center of corruption allegations and pending criminal charges.
Matlala’s legal team, led by advocate Anneline van den Heever, attempted to limit the scope of questioning, arguing that the commission’s evidence leaders had not given sufficient time to review thousands of documents. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, however, ruled that commissioners were entitled to seek clarifications directly.
While refusing to answer on the Medicare24 contract, Matlala did make several admissions. He confirmed serving a past prison sentence, acknowledged a R15 million loan from businessman Suleiman Carrim, and admitted meeting KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi—though he declined to reveal the substance of that discussion. He also denied any ties to suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan, distancing himself from allegations of political protection.
The commission pressed him on alleged irregular dealings with the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), but Matlala insisted none of his companies had ever been awarded contracts there. He claimed that his firm, CAT VIP Protection, provided security services to former mayor Tania Campbell without financial gain, though he admitted he could not produce documentation to support this.
Analysts described Matlala’s testimony as measured and strategic, carefully avoiding statements that could compromise his pending criminal trials. He is currently facing attempted murder charges linked to alleged orchestrated hits between 2022 and 2024, as well as corruption and money laundering charges tied to the Medicare24 tender.
The day’s session ended with Matlala’s team instructed to file a supplementary affidavit, with testimony set to resume on 24 August 2026. For now, his silence on the Medicare24 saga underscores the tension between protecting legal rights and the public’s demand for accountability in one of South Africa’s most high-profile corruption inquiries.
Matlala’s legal team, led by advocate Anneline van den Heever, attempted to limit the scope of questioning, arguing that the commission’s evidence leaders had not given sufficient time to review thousands of documents. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, however, ruled that commissioners were entitled to seek clarifications directly.
While refusing to answer on the Medicare24 contract, Matlala did make several admissions. He confirmed serving a past prison sentence, acknowledged a R15 million loan from businessman Suleiman Carrim, and admitted meeting KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi—though he declined to reveal the substance of that discussion. He also denied any ties to suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan, distancing himself from allegations of political protection.
The commission pressed him on alleged irregular dealings with the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), but Matlala insisted none of his companies had ever been awarded contracts there. He claimed that his firm, CAT VIP Protection, provided security services to former mayor Tania Campbell without financial gain, though he admitted he could not produce documentation to support this.
Analysts described Matlala’s testimony as measured and strategic, carefully avoiding statements that could compromise his pending criminal trials. He is currently facing attempted murder charges linked to alleged orchestrated hits between 2022 and 2024, as well as corruption and money laundering charges tied to the Medicare24 tender.
The day’s session ended with Matlala’s team instructed to file a supplementary affidavit, with testimony set to resume on 24 August 2026. For now, his silence on the Medicare24 saga underscores the tension between protecting legal rights and the public’s demand for accountability in one of South Africa’s most high-profile corruption inquiries.
