Mchunu Denies Links to ‘Cat’ Matlala After Prison Cellphone Scandal

Police Minister under fire as prison officials catch controversial tenderpreneur with contraband phone amid claims of high-level cover-ups.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has broken his silence, denying any ties to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman who has once again landed in the spotlight, this time for being busted with a cellphone in his prison cell.

Matlala, currently awaiting trial for attempted murder, was caught with the illegal device at Kgosi Mampuru Prison over the weekend and has since been moved to the C-Max high-security section, according to the Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.

This embarrassing prison breach only adds fuel to an already explosive political fire.

Mkhwanazi’s Allegations: The Spark That Lit the Fuse

The scandal broke open after Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial police commissioner, dropped a bombshell during a live media briefing. He accused senior police officials — including Minister Mchunu of interfering in politically sensitive investigations and protecting businesspeople linked to dubious deals.

Mkhwanazi specifically mentioned a cancelled SAPS tender awarded to Matlala, suggesting there were shady dealings at play and undue pressure on provincial officers to back off from high-profile cases.

Mchunu’s Firm Denial

In a swift response issued Wednesday, Mchunu’s office denied any relationship with Matlala, stating clearly:

“The Minister has never met Mr Matlala, has never spoken to him, nor has the Minister ever requested or received anything from him.”

Far from protecting Matlala, the statement claims it was Mchunu himself who flagged concerns about the SAPS tender in question, which was eventually terminated due to suspected irregularities.

What About Brown Mogotsi?

The statement also addressed allegations about Brown Mogotsi, a figure reportedly known to Mchunu. While confirming they’ve met, the Ministry insisted Mogotsi is “just a comrade,” not an associate or business partner.

“The Minister has never requested or received anything from him,” it reiterated.

Cellphones in Prison: A Red Flag

The news that Matlala a man already accused of serious violent crimes had access to a cellphone in prison raises fresh concerns about prison security, and more worryingly, the reach of influence held by politically connected individuals even behind bars.

The Department of Correctional Services confirmed the incident and Matlala’s immediate transfer to a stricter prison section, but South Africans on social media are demanding to know how such breaches keep happening and whether corruption is enabling them.

A Nation Watching Closely

The political fallout is growing. Mkhwanazi’s bold allegations have put the spotlight squarely on government accountability, tender transparency, and whether senior officials are turning a blind eye or worse, to corruption.

Mchunu’s denial may clear some air, but questions remain: How did someone as high-profile as Matlala obtain a cellphone in prison? How deep does the alleged protection of corrupt businesspeople go? And who’s really pulling the strings behind SAPS contracts?

With a prominent police general sounding the alarm on deep-rooted corruption and a high-profile tenderpreneur caught flouting prison rules, South Africa is watching closely. Minister Mchunu says he has nothing to hide, but the pressure is mounting for full transparency, thorough investigations, and accountability at the highest levels.

{Source: The Citizen}

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