Senior police leadership has closed ranks amid persistent allegations that high-ranking officers underwent cosmetic procedures allegedly funded by suspected criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
At a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday to announce crime statistics, National Commissioner Major-General Fannie Masemola invited Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia to stand and defend General Khosi Senthumule, the Deputy National Commissioner responsible for forensics, who is the latest senior official to be linked to Matlala.
Another of Masemola’s deputies, Shadrack Sibiya — currently suspended over alleged ties to the underworld — implicated Senthumule while testifying before the Madlanga Commission. He alleged that she underwent a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) funded by Matlala and that she had also advocated for the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.
Cachalia appeared to contradict himself, stating that beyond the list of law enforcement officials identified by President Cyril Ramaphosa for criminal investigation, additional individuals may be pursued if they emerge in the ongoing enquiries. However, he adopted a defensive stance regarding Senthumule.
“The President provided us with a list of individuals against whom there was prima facie evidence in the interim report of the Madlanga Commission. Accordingly, the focus of the criminal investigations and disciplinary processes is on those identified individuals. The Commissioner informed me prior to the publication of the midterm report that he intended to take action, and some of those individuals were subsequently included on that list. It is therefore possible that, as the enquiry unfolds, further individuals may be identified for disciplinary action or criminal investigation,” Cachalia said.
He added that Senthumule deserved a degree of protection, noting that the allegations against her were made by an individual who is himself facing serious accusations.
“At this stage, there are numerous untested allegations being made, and some may be incentivised. In an enquiry of this nature, there may be a tendency to make broad and undisciplined accusations against various individuals. The General should therefore be afforded some protection while these matters remain under investigation,” Cachalia said, shielding Senthumule from responding to media questions.
He further stated that Senthumule had indicated she was not comfortable addressing the claims made by Sibiya, including the allegation that Matlala funded a BBL procedure which he sensationally claimed left her unable to sit for three months.
“Before coming here, I asked the General whether she would be comfortable responding. She is not. I believe the appropriate course is to allow the enquiry to reach its conclusion,” Cachalia said.