Matlala’s Madlanga testimony disrupted by fire alarm; legal standoff and denials leave questions

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission on 17 August 2026 was interrupted by an emergency evacuation and dominated by legal refusals and denials, according to IOL.

Evacuation halts proceedings

Minutes before Matlala’s scheduled 9.30am appearance at Pretoria’s Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, a fire alarm triggered an evacuation. According to IOL, Tshwane Emergency Services responded to the venue and the building was cleared before proceedings could resume.

Legal standoff over questioning

The testimony was expected to address allegations of corruption linked to a R228 million SAPS health-services tender, according to IOL. Matlala’s appearance had already become a legal flashpoint: his lawyer, Anneline van der Heever, challenged numerous questions from the commission’s evidence leaders, and his testimony had initially been pushed to September before the commission fast-tracked his subpoena for Monday and Tuesday, IOL reports.

When Matlala finally faced the commission he emphasised his legal position.

“I am entitled to be presumed innocent until proven guilty,”

he told the commission, according to IOL. As questioning moved toward Medicare24 and the SAPS contract, Matlala invoked his right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions that form part of his pending criminal proceedings before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, IOL says.

Denials and counter-allegations

Despite refusing to answer some questions, Matlala made several categorical denials. According to IOL, he rejected allegations that he had a relationship with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, saying he did not know the minister and denying claims of meetings or financial links.

Matlala also challenged claims by intermediary Brown Mogotsi about secret meetings at the home of KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. According to IOL, the commission’s evidence leader later said phone-record evidence did not support that version.

Allegations against investigators and third parties

Rather than expand on some named links, Matlala pointed to alleged interference by investigators and others. According to IOL, he accused a man identified as “Mr Maluleka” of attempting to extort money and demanding promotions in return for favourable testimony in a disciplinary matter involving Major General Feroz Khan.

According to IOL, Matlala also alleged that investigators approached him while he was incarcerated at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre and pressured him to manufacture evidence implicating National Police Commissioner Fanny Masemola and Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo in corruption.

Next steps

According to IOL, the commission’s sitting with Matlala has been postponed to August 24 and 25, leaving further questions to be addressed at those hearings.