Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has made explosive allegations before the Madlanga Commission, claiming Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) officials took him to the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria instead of directly transferring him to Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre.
Matlala testified on Monday, 9 November, during proceedings of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission.
He described an alleged transfer from Kokstad to Pretoria following a period in isolation.
According to Matlala, IDAC investigators drove him from Kokstad and took him to the Sheraton Hotel at around 2am instead of directly to Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre’s C-Max facility.
There, he allegedly met a man he referred to as “Chief Perumal”, who asked him to provide information implicating police generals Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Dumisani Khumalo and Fannie Masemola.
Matlala claimed he was instructed to use WhatsApp for a “street call” so that communications could be corroborated.
He further alleged that he was taken to IDAC offices over a weekend without his lawyers’ knowledge and pressured to provide a statement. He said he refused to sign a statement he believed had been prepared to suit the investigators’ interests.
In another part of his testimony, Matlala said he was driven to a McDonald’s restaurant near C-Max, where he was asked to provide photographs but declined.
He claimed he was told he would be given six months to cooperate.
Matlala said he was uncomfortable with a statement being typed by an assistant and requested evidence and permission to take photographs or record video. He alleged these requests were refused and stressed that he had not been given adequate opportunity to consult his legal team.
He also said he had spoken to General Senona, who denied involvement.
Controversial transfer history
Matlala is a key witness before the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating alleged criminality, political interference and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
His transfer history has already attracted controversy.
On 21 December 2025, he was moved from Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre to eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad, a super-maximum-security facility, after reportedly being found with a cellphone in his cell.
The Department of Correctional Services previously said the transfer followed standard operating procedures and security assessments.
Matlala challenged the transfer in the High Court, arguing that his detention in KwaZulu-Natal while facing trial in Gauteng made it difficult to consult his legal team.
The state subsequently told the court that he would be moved back to Pretoria before his criminal trial.
IDAC yet to respond
IDAC has not publicly responded to the specific Sheraton Hotel allegations made during Monday’s testimony.
The claims remain allegations presented before the Commission and have yet to be tested through cross-examination or corroborated by independent evidence, such as CCTV footage, hotel records or IDAC logs.
Online reaction has been swift, with calls for the hotel’s CCTV footage to be released and for IDAC to account for the movement of a remand detainee.
The Commission is expected to continue hearing Matlala’s testimony, with IDAC officials likely to be given an opportunity to respond.