KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been accused of offering to stall a criminal investigation into businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in return for information on former national deputy police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya.
The allegation was made by KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Maj-Gen Lesetja Senona during testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Senona told the commission that he had a personal relationship with Matlala, confirming that they were introduced at his wedding in Mamelodi in 2019 and later became close friends.
According to Senona, when Matlala’s R36 million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender came under scrutiny, a meeting was arranged with Mkhwanazi in an attempt to resolve issues surrounding the contract.
Senona alleged that he accompanied Matlala to an apartment in Durban, which he claimed is owned by Mkhwanazi. During the meeting, Senona said he overheard Mkhwanazi proposing a deal that would see the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) back off from investigating Matlala in exchange for intelligence relating to Lt-Gen Sibiya.
“There I heard that he also offered to hold off on allegations of attempted murder against Mr Matlala of Tebogo Thobejane in exchange for information in relation to Lt-Gen Sibiya,” Senona testified.
Matlala was arrested last year by members of the PKTT and charged with the attempted murder of his former girlfriend, socialite Tebogo Thobejane.
The allegations, which implicate senior police leadership, form part of the commission’s broader investigation into political interference and misconduct within law enforcement.