Inside the CAT VIP Scandal: How a Fake Deal Exposed Ekurhuleni’s Deep Corruption

Inside the CAT VIP Scandal: How a Fake Deal Exposed Ekurhuleni’s Deep Corruption

When the Madlanga Commission sat down to unpack the rot within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), few expected the story to twist into a tale of fake documents, blue lights, and a private company allegedly operating like a shadow police force.

This week’s testimony painted a disturbing picture of how Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, the suspended acting EMPD chief, allegedly bent the city’s systems to benefit Vusimuzi “CAT” Matlala, a man long whispered about in local circles as a “street boss” with friends in high places.

A Deal That Never Existed

Former Ekurhuleni human resources head, Xolani Nciza, dropped the bombshell: the so-called memorandum of understanding between the municipality and Matlala’s company, CAT VIP, never existed. What circulated through official channels was merely a draft one that Mkhwanazi allegedly paraded as a legitimate, binding contract.

“There is no memorandum of understanding that existed between the municipality and CAT VIP. What existed was a draft, and a draft is simply that,” Nciza testified, calling the document “grossly dishonest.”

By passing off the fake MOU as real, Mkhwanazi allegedly gave CAT VIP an open door to act like an extension of the EMPD, patrolling streets, using police insignia, and even flashing blue lights on vehicles registered under the city’s name.

The Blue Light Cover-Up

Perhaps the most jarring detail was the so-called “blue light” operation. Matlala’s private vehicles were reportedly registered as municipal cars and fitted with flashing lights normally reserved for police and emergency use.

“These were private cars disguised as official ones,” Nciza said. “If stopped, their drivers could claim to be acting for the EMPD. The risks were obvious.”

The revelation added to growing fears that criminal elements had successfully blurred the line between private security and state policing, a dangerous overlap in a city already grappling with hijackings, extortion, and illicit business networks.

Power, Protection, and Pressure

According to Nciza, Mkhwanazi’s protection ran deep. When he tried to extend the brigadier’s suspension, he allegedly received a furious call from then–city manager Imogen Mashazi, who accused him of overstepping his authority.

“It was clear she didn’t want him touched,” Nciza said, implying political shielding that allowed Mkhwanazi to act with near impunity.

The HR head also mentioned EMPD’s own Linda Gasheka, who resisted taking disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi despite mounting evidence of misconduct.

By April 2023, a disciplinary tribunal was finally set up to probe allegations of theft, extortion, robbery, kidnapping, and bribery within the department, but the process stalled after IPID intervened, warning that upcoming arrests could complicate proceedings.

A Symptom of a Bigger Problem

What the Madlanga Commission is now exposing goes far beyond one fake document. It’s a glimpse into how corruption, collusion, and intimidation have hollowed out local governance turning departments meant to protect the public into tools of private interest.

Ekurhuleni residents have long raised red flags about the blurred lines between officials, private security firms, and political elites. Social media users have since weighed in with frustration:

“Every few years it’s a new scandal, but the same players,” wrote one user on X.
“The city has been captured from within, we just didn’t have proof until now,” another added.

What Happens Next?

As the Madlanga Commission continues, the case of Julius Mkhwanazi and CAT Matlala could become a defining moment for accountability in local government. The question remains will the revelations spark reform, or will the system close ranks again?

For now, the residents of Ekurhuleni are watching and hoping that this time, the truth won’t be buried under another “draft.”

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com