Matlala’s Madlanga Commission testimony postponed amid heightened interest

Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala will not appear in person before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday, the commission has said, after organisers cited heightened media and public interest in his testimony.

Appearance delayed

The commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, said the witness’s evidence has been postponed to a date yet to be determined. He added that Matlala’s legal representative will be physically present before the commission on Tuesday instead.

“Mr Matlala will therefore not appear in person before the Commission on Tuesday, but his legal representative will instead be physically present.”

Background set out to the commission

The commission record notes Matlala first built business interests in the private security industry before expanding into healthcare services. In 2018, through his company Medicare24 Tshwane District, he partnered with Mike van Wyk to roll out the Medicare24 franchise into township communities.

Matlala’s company was awarded a South African Police Service healthcare services contract worth approximately R228 million in June 2024. The tender was initially reported to be worth as much as R360 million and attracted criticism over questions about the company’s operational capacity, infrastructure and staffing. Before the contract was terminated, the company had reportedly received about R50 million. The matter is now the subject of ongoing fraud and corruption investigations.

Criminal proceedings and plea talks

Matlala is currently in state custody facing 25 criminal charges, including allegations of fraud and corruption linked to public procurement, and an unrelated charge of attempted murder. He has reportedly been engaged in plea negotiations with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), offering to cooperate with investigators in exchange for a reduced sentence. These proceedings remain before the courts.

Allegations heard at the commission

The commission has heard testimony alleging Matlala played a central role in a network of organised crime and institutional corruption affecting senior SAPS structures. According to evidence, Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo identified Matlala as a leading figure in the so-called “Big Five” organised crime syndicate, which has been linked in testimony to allegations of cocaine trafficking, kidnapping, cross-border vehicle hijackings and tender-related extortion. These allegations have not been tested in court.

Witnesses further alleged Matlala cultivated relationships with senior police officials through financial inducements and other benefits. Among those named during testimony:

• Maj-Gen. Richard Shibiri said to have admitted receiving an R80,000 personal loan from Matlala;
• Brigadier Rachel Matjeng acknowledged receiving expensive gifts, including doses of the prescription weight-loss medication Ozempic, while overseeing the evaluation of the disputed SAPS healthcare tender;
• Maj-Gen. Lesetja Senona and Shadrack Sibiya alleged to have leaked classified police information and accepted financial benefits in exchange for protecting Matlala’s interests.

The commission has also examined WhatsApp communications allegedly linking Matlala to political fixer Brown Mogotsi, including discussions relating to state matters and requests for financial support for political activities. The names of former Police Ministers Bheki Cele and Senzo Mchunu have similarly surfaced during testimony; the commission record notes neither has been found guilty of any wrongdoing arising from its proceedings.

Serious criminal allegations and other claims

Among the most serious claims presented at the commission are allegations that Matlala orchestrated the assassination of Transnet whistleblower Armand Swart by allegedly hiring a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer to carry out the killing. Witnesses also alleged senior SAPS officials interfered with or suppressed the murder investigation. The commission record states these allegations remain unproven and have not been adjudicated by a court.

Evidence before the commission also alleges Matlala’s security company, Cat VIP Protection, entered into an irregular memorandum of understanding with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) that enabled private vehicles to be fitted with unlawful blue emergency lights reserved for law enforcement.

Commission process continues

The Madlanga Commission continues to hear testimony and examine documents linked to organised crime and corruption within police structures. Matlala’s in-person evidence has been delayed pending a new date for his testimony.