Matlala confirms friendship and business ties with Maumela, reigniting questions over Ramaphosa link

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has told the Madlanga Commission that he is friends with Morgan Hangwani Maumela and that they previously did business together, a disclosure that has renewed scrutiny of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s publicly stated connection to Maumela.

How Matlala described the relationship

Matlala said his association with Maumela began around 2015 or 2016 and grew from a shared interest in sports cars. He told the commission they would sometimes meet at restaurants in Sandton to talk about their vehicles.

“We had a passion for sports cars…That’s how we knew each other,” Matlala testified.

Why the admission matters

The admission has prompted renewed attention to earlier explanations offered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has denied any personal or business relationship with Maumela. Ramaphosa previously acknowledged being once married to Maumela’s aunt but said he had never met Maumela and had not conducted business with him.

Images and Ramaphosa’s response

Questions about the president’s connection intensified after images and video appeared showing Ramaphosa outside Maumela’s Sandhurst residence. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the president was taking a walk with his security detail when broadcaster Tbo Touch stopped them for photographs. The video was recorded on 29 September 2023, according to Magwenya.

Ramaphosa later said he recognised Maumela’s mother from school and reiterated that being once married to Maumela’s aunt did not make Maumela a meaningful relative.

“I’ve encountered him,” Ramaphosa said, adding that he had never sat down with or conducted business with Maumela, and was appalled by the allegations surrounding the businessman.

Context: the Tembisa Hospital investigation and related actions

Maumela has been linked to investigations into alleged corruption around the R2 billion looting of Tembisa Hospital. Matlala remains in prison on separate charges involving corruption and organised crime, while Maumela has not been arrested.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Special Tribunal have obtained preservation and seizure orders against Maumela and associated entities. Among assets mentioned in the investigation is a R9.5 million Ferrari SF90 Stradale that the SIU was authorised to sell. A preservation order granted on 14 August 2025 covers a collection of luxury properties in suburbs including Bantry Bay, Sandhurst, Hartbeespoort, Ballito and Three Anchor Bay, as well as several high-performance vehicles and other assets.

Investigators, following disclosures by slain Gauteng Health Department official Babita Deokaran, concluded that 14 companies allegedly controlled by the Maumela syndicate appeared to have unlawfully benefited from hospital contracts totalling more than R400 million. Deokaran’s reports prompted a forensic inquiry supported by the National Treasury’s Specialised Audit Services Unit that examined payment records, supplier registrations and company ownership data.

Investigations and remaining questions

Matlala’s testimony does not directly implicate Ramaphosa in wrongdoing, but his confirmation of friendship and business ties with Maumela adds a new element to public and political debate. The Madlanga Commission is continuing to probe alleged networks involving senior police officials, politicians and business figures.

The commission has heard evidence about alleged transactions involving Matlala, Maumela and North West businessman Suleiman Carrim, including claims that payments intended for Maumela were channelled through Carrim rather than made directly; those allegations remain under investigation.