Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is expected to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission.
The inquiry said on Sunday that it had brought forward Matlala’s testimony and scheduled it for two days, after initially postponing it to September.
“The commission will on 17 and 18 August 2026 hear the testimony of Mr Vusimuzi Matlala. Mr Matlala first appeared before the Commission on 15 July 2026 but, in terms of a ruling handed down by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, his testimony was postponed to 1 September 2026. Mr Matlala’s testimony has been brought forward to 17 and 18 August and he will now appear before the Commission under subpoena,” said Madlanga Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels in the statement.
Matlala was mentioned by previous witnesses as a central figure in an alleged criminal network known as the “Big Five” cartel. He is accused of using luxury gifts, personal loans and carefully built networks with high-ranking police officials and politicians to buy influence and secure lucrative state tenders, including a controversial R228-million SAPS health services tender and ties to the Tembisa Hospital accommodation tender.
Testimony before the Commission indicated that the PKTT’s aggressive investigation into Matlala led to operations at his home in connection with high-profile cases, including the kidnapping of businessman Jerry Boshoga. Matlala allegedly felt targeted and claimed he was being terrorised by the unit, prompting political and police manoeuvres that ultimately led to the controversial disbandment of the task team.
Matlala is expected to participate in the proceedings via live streaming from Kgoshi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria, where he is awaiting trial on attempted murder charges. The state alleges that Matlala, along with his co-accused, shot and injured taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and Matlala’s ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, in an attempt to kill them.