“Let Him Rot in Jail”: Malema Breaks Silence on ‘Cat’ Matlala Scandal

EFF leader says he doesn’t know the accused tycoon as scandal deepens with attempted murder and corruption charges

Amid growing public speculation and social media frenzy, EFF leader Julius Malema has firmly distanced himself from embattled businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, declaring in no uncertain terms: “He must go — rot in jail. I don’t know him.”

Malema’s comments came on the sidelines of the Ward 13 by-elections in Limpopo, where he spoke to reporters outside Mponegele Primary School. Visibly irritated by the line of questioning, Malema dismissed the rumours as “petty gossip,” saying, “When I speak, you complain. When I don’t, you complain. What do you want now? Le a nnyaka, man.”

Julius Malema, EFF leader, has distanced himself from “petty gossip” linking him with controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.

“He must go rot in jail, I don’t know him,” he said. TCG pic.twitter.com/3PApSNwCIN

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 16, 2025

Online Whispers and “VIP” Shadows

The speculation Malema refers to began swirling on social media shortly after images emerged showing a woman believed to be his wife, Mantwa Matlala, flanked by security personnel allegedly linked to CAT VIP Protection — a company owned by Vusimuzi Matlala.

Many users quickly jumped to conclusions, suggesting that Mantwa was either related to Matlala or using his security services, which some interpreted as a possible reason for Malema’s initial silence on the scandal.

However, others pushed back online, calling out the narrative as unproven and sensationalist. “Twitter isn’t the courtroom,” one user noted. “We need facts, not memes.”

Still, in the age of screenshots and digital breadcrumbs, the court of public opinion often races ahead of official statements.

Matlala: The Man Behind the Mayhem

At the centre of the storm is Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who was recently arrested after a months-long high-profile police investigation. He now faces attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and money laundering charges.

Matlala first made headlines when KZN police commissioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused him of trying to interfere with police operations and shielding alleged criminal networks tied to political figures.

Evidence presented included WhatsApp messages, SAPS documents, and call logs that reportedly reveal efforts to disband a KZN task team investigating syndicates, all allegedly to protect dirty dealings connected to state contracts and law enforcement.

Among the revelations was a R360 million SAPS health contract Matlala allegedly landed, since cancelled  adding a layer of state capture-style rot to the unfolding drama.

A Political Firestorm at the Highest Level

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office responded swiftly by placing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave, after Mkhwanazi suggested that Matlala’s influence reached dangerously high into government circles.

In an unprecedented shake-up, Gwede Mantashe was temporarily appointed acting Police Minister, and Professor Firoz Cachalia is set to take over the role permanently from August.

For South Africans, this was more than just another corruption scandal, it signalled how deeply criminal influence may be embedded within state institutions.

Charges and Court Drama: From Sandton Shootings to C-Max

Vusimuzi Matlala is also linked to a 2023 highway shooting involving Tebogo Thobejane, a South African socialite and actress. Thobejane was shot in the foot on the N1 near Sandton, while her passenger suffered a devastating spinal injury.

Matlala was arrested in Midrand on May 14. He now sits behind bars at the C-Max unit of Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre, shackled and guarded as one of the state’s most high-risk detainees.

His co-accused include:

• Tsakani Matlala (his wife), released on R20,000 bail

• Musa Kekana

• Tiegi Floyd “Danny” Mabusela

The court is now working to consolidate three separate cases, in Alexandra, Pretoria West, and Lyttelton into a single trial. Proceedings resume 26 August 2025.

EFF’s Dilemma: Close, But Not Connected?

For Malema and the EFF, the timing couldn’t be worse. The party has long positioned itself as a moral watchdog against corruption, especially within the ruling ANC. Allegations, even vague or unsubstantiated, that someone in Malema’s inner circle could be tied to an accused state contractor and alleged crime boss, threatens to undermine that brand.

Malema, however, isn’t having it.

“I’ve never had anything to do with him,” he insisted. “I don’t even care about him.”

Whether the public accepts that denial may depend on how the investigations and trial unfold in the months to come.

Where the Story Goes Next

As Matlala awaits trial, the country watches closely. The scandal has shaken public confidence in law enforcement, exposed alleged links between business and political elites, and dragged one of the most outspoken opposition leaders into the conversation, even if just by association.

Meanwhile, EFF supporters have begun rallying behind Malema online, calling the allegations a “smear campaign.” Others say the links, real or imagined, reflect a wider problem of overlapping personal, political, and financial interests in South African public life.

For now, one thing is clear: Vusimuzi Matlala may be behind bars, but the political and legal shockwaves are just beginning.

{Source: IOL}

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