Suspected criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has disrupted proceedings at the Adhoc Committee investigating allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that criminal cartels have infiltrated the justice system, capturing corrupt politicians and judicial officers.
Matlala, who has long been rumored to have ties to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, denied any personal acquaintance with the minister. He admitted only that former Police Minister Bheki Cele had informed him about Mchunu’s political ambitions.
“No. Let me explain. It was not Mr. Mogotsi who told me about Mchunu wanting to be president. It was former Minister Cele who told me that he wants to be president of the country,” Matlala said during testimony at Kgoshi Mampuru Prison, where the committee’s proceedings were relocated to accommodate him.
When asked by Evidence Leader Norman Arendse if he had ever met Minister Mchunu, Matlala replied, “No, I have never met Minister Mchunu. I do not know him.”
Matlala claimed that Cele had sought his assistance in finding incriminating material on Mchunu. He also implicated General Mkhwanazi, whose July 6 media briefing set off a chain of events leading to the ongoing investigations, earning him national recognition.
Matlala recounted a meeting with Mkhwanazi, during which the general allegedly implied that Matlala could be a threat to National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and that there was “only one way” to deal with him permanently—though he did not explicitly mention killing him. Matlala described Mkhwanazi as having arranged for protective measures for Masemola, including an armored vehicle, due to threats to his life.
Regarding financial dealings, Matlala said he had been funding Cele, who repeatedly requested money. Matlala stated:
“When he later came to Pretoria, he called me. He went to my apartment first, and I found him waiting. He said, ‘Last year I helped you, and even now you’re not showing appreciation.’ That’s when I made the first payment. I had to order the money from the bank, as you can’t withdraw more than R50,000 without prior notice. I gave him R300,000 initially, and the second payment was for the same reason.”
Matlala estimated that he paid Cele at least R500,000, but stressed that these payments were not linked to Mchunu in any way.
Currently detained for the alleged attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane, Matlala is expected to continue his testimony on Thursday.