Alleged crime boss and businessman Vusi ‘Cat’ Matlala is expected to testify before Parliament’s Ad Hoc committeeinvestigating criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the justice system, becoming the first criminally charged person to appear before a parliamentary inquiry of this kind.
Matlala will give his testimony remotely from the Kgosi Mampuru II C-Max Prison, where he is currently being held after the Johannesburg High Court dismissed his bail appeal in October.
While the official dates have not been confirmed, sources close to the committee suggest his appearance is tentatively scheduled for 26 to 28 November 2025.
Matlala, described as an alleged “Big 5 cartel” member, faces multiple charges including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and money laundering.
He has also been implicated in the R2 billion corruption scandal involving Tembisa Hospital and in the attempted assassination of his ex-partner, actress Tebogo Thobejane.
The committee’s chairperson, Bheki Lekganyane, confirmed during its recent sitting that preparations are underway to accommodate Matlala’s testimony.
The meeting also reviewed the committee’s interim report, which outlines progress made since its establishment and sets out a proposed schedule for remaining witness appearances.
Matlala’s name has repeatedly surfaced during proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where multiple witnesses linked him to senior police officers and politicians accused of corruption and interference in criminal investigations.
Witnesses have alleged that Matlala made illicit payments to high-ranking officials, including suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona, to secure state contracts and avoid prosecution.
As detailed in Swisher Post’s investigative podcast Crime Central SA, Matlala rose from Mamelodi’s underworld to become one of South Africa’s most influential tenderpreneurs, amassing wealth through state-linked contracts and alleged connections within law enforcement.
His empire, according to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), was built on a network of companies that benefited from inflated and irregular procurement deals with state departments.
The Ad Hoc committee’s decision to call Matlala marks a significant development in its probe into political interference and corruption across South Africa’s criminal justice sector.
His testimony is expected to shed light on alleged ties between crime networks and senior government figures.
Matlala’s appearance before Parliament, under high security, will also test the committee’s ability to manage sensitive criminal evidence within a political forum.
