Embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has denied any links to alleged gang boss and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, insisting that he has never met or spoken to the man at the centre of a growing political and policing scandal.
Mchunu continued his testimony before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee probing claims that South Africa’s criminal justice system has been infiltrated by criminal cartels. The minister faced a tough grilling from ActionSA MP Darleen James, who pressed him on allegations that he took decisions to shield syndicates from investigation — including his controversial but failed attempt to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
Mchunu maintained that he only became aware of Matlala after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi mentioned him during a July 6 media briefing and again at the ongoing Madlanga Commission in Pretoria.
“In terms of what is coming out now, it does appear that Brown Mogotsi and Cat Matlala had a relationship,” Mchunu said. “Before this, I was not aware. I know Brown Mogotsi and have spoken to him, but I didn’t know he was talking to those kinds of people. Up to now, I’ve never spoken to Matlala or met him in person. Anyone who says I’m linked to him must show proof.”
While Mchunu initially told Parliament’s police portfolio committee that he did not know businessman Brown Mogotsi, he has since admitted knowing him — describing their connection as that of political comrades, not business partners. He denied ever asking Mogotsi to raise funds for any political campaign.
“There’s no request that I ever made to Brown Mogotsi to fund any dinner or event. If he did, he did so on his own,” Mchunu said. “Other than being comrades, I have no other relationship with him.”
Mchunu described Mogotsi as “crafty,” saying it was concerning that messages were allegedly sent to Mkhwanazi claiming, “the minister has arrived in Lusikisiki,” as if Mogotsi had been present.
He also dismissed claims that he met Mogotsi and Matlala to discuss business deals, saying: “If former minister Bheki Cele says I met Matlala or Mogotsi for that purpose, it would be a lie.”
“There’s no drug cartel I’m linked to. I’ve never done anything to assist drug cartels, directly or indirectly,” Mchunu added.
Defending his attempt to disband the PKTT, Mchunu said his decision was motivated by a desire to ensure police resources were evenly distributed across provinces facing high murder rates.
“The focus on KZN was disproportionate,” he said. “All murders matter, and our strategy was to strengthen capacity nationally, not to weaken investigations.”
Despite mounting criticism and public calls for his resignation, Mchunu made it clear he has no intention of stepping down.
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he told MPs. “We are dealing with the issues at hand — that’s my focus right now.”