The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was forced to repeatedly intervene on Monday as it sought answers from alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, whose evidence was at times hindered by objections from his lawyer, Anelene Van Der Heever.
Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga had to rein in Van Der Heever after she repeatedly interjected while Evidence Leader Mahlape Sello questioned Matlala about his alleged relationships with senior police officials and other key figures.
At one point, Justice Madlanga reminded the lawyer that Matlala, not his legal representative, was the witness before the commission.
“Miss Van Der Heever, you are not the one testifying, so let Mr Matlala answer questions that are posed to him,” Madlanga said.
The chairperson questioned why Matlala would need to invoke the right against self-incrimination when there was no criminal case before the courts relating to the particular line of questioning.
“I don’t see how you would want him to invoke self-incrimination in this instance because there’s no case whatsoever before the courts, so please let the witness speak,” Madlanga said.
The exchange followed questions about luxury vehicles that previous witnesses had linked to Matlala and which they alleged he had purchased for suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
Matlala appeared reluctant to answer some of the questions, but his testimony nevertheless produced potentially significant information for the commission.
Alleged plan to replace Crime Intelligence boss
Matlala told the commission about an alleged plan involving Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to remove General Dumisani Khumalo as head of Crime Intelligence and replace him with General Feroz Khan.
According to Matlala, the information was relayed to him by former Police Minister Bheki Cele.
“This is according to Mr Cele. He said to me, Mr Senzo wants to fire General Khumalo and hire General Khan and replace him in that position of Crime Intelligence,” Matlala told the commission.
Matlala said that was what he could recall from his conversation with Cele.
The allegation comes as the commission investigates claims of political influence over senior police appointments and operations, as well as alleged links between police officials and criminal networks.
Mogotsi allegations
Matlala also provided evidence about his dealings with fellow criminally accused Brown Mogotsi.
He alleged that Mogotsi attempted to use him to implicate members of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in criminal conduct that Matlala said had not taken place.
“They wanted General Khan to be cleared at the disciplinary hearing and wanted me to help with that, and that’s when I realised that this guy is using me because they wanted me to implicate the PKTT in things that did not happen,” Matlala said.
Matlala further told the commission that claims had been made that his wife was assaulted during a raid. He said, however, that his wife had not been interested in filing a complaint.
His evidence could prove significant as the commission examines allegations surrounding the attempted disbandment of the PKTT and the broader relationship between senior police officials, political figures and individuals accused of involvement in organised crime.
The proceedings also highlighted the challenges faced by the commission in obtaining direct evidence from Matlala, with repeated interventions from his legal representative drawing the chairperson’s attention.
The commission is expected to continue testing Matlala’s version against evidence already presented by other witnesses.
The allegations raised during the proceedings remain allegations and have not been established as fact. The commission has yet to make its final findings.