Cat Matlala tells Madlanga Commission his bond with Morgan Maumela was over sports cars

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala returned to the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday and told commissioners that his friendship with alleged tender fraudster Hangwani Morgan Maumela developed from a shared love for sports cars. The session resumed with Matlala’s lead lawyer back in the hearing room after an illness-related absence.

Friendship rooted in shared interest, Matlala says

Matlala told the commission that he and Maumela were friends because of their mutual interest in sports cars. The commission has been examining Matlala’s relationships and business links as part of its wider inquiry.

Assets and business ties to be probed

Last week the Special Tribunal ordered the sale of a R9.5 million Ferrari linked to Tembisa Hospital corruption and associated with Maumela. The commission indicated Matlala will be questioned further about his business interests with Maumela.

Legal tensions ease as testimony continues

Matlala resumed testimony after a legal standoff earlier in the week, when his legal team threatened to withdraw following reports that Matlala had instructed his lawyers to quit if proceedings continued without their lead counsel. The standoff eased when Matlala’s lead lawyer, Advocate Anneline van den Heever, returned to the hearing room.

Previous denials still under scrutiny

On Monday Matlala rejected claims of a close relationship with suspended deputy national police commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya, saying Sibiya was not his friend. Matlala told the commission that Sibiya was:

“someone that I knew”

He also denied having any personal or professional ties to Ignatius Mothakathi, a figure who has been linked to the alleged Big 5 Cartel. Commissioners signalled that Tuesday’s testimony would further scrutinise those relationships and Matlala’s wider claims.

What to expect next

The commission will continue to question Matlala about his associations and business connections, with particular attention on links to Maumela and the asset sale ordered by the Special Tribunal.