Edwin Sodi celebrated his 50th birthday in September 2023 at his R85 million mansion in Bryanston.
Who is Vusi “Cat” Matlala and how is Edwin Sodi involved?
According to News24, the event included appearances by Gauteng MEC Lebogang Maile, ANC official Pule Mabe, and even political advisor Keith Khoza—sitting next to Vusi “Cat” Matlala, an alleged crime boss now behind bars on attempted murder charges.
Matlala and his wife were seated prominently at the main table, while Sodi’s close connections with Deputy President Paul Mashatile and other ANC leaders have long sparked scrutiny.
What happened at the party and why it matters
The celebration, held months before Matlala’s arrest on attempted murder charges, was not just a birthday party—it was an apparent gathering of power and prestige.
Footage showed ANC figures mingling with Matlala, and photographs show Pule Mabe seated nearby.
Sodi told News24 that Matlala was “a friend,” while Maile and Mabe declined comment, and Khoza confirmed attending but said he has no further ties.
Mashatile was invited but did not attend, according to Sodi.
Matlala’s criminal profile and political ties
Matlala’s alleged criminal activity includes a cancelled R360 million health contract with the police and associations with corrupt tenders at Tembisa Hospital.
He has been named in leaked messages as having influence that extended into high-level political circles and law enforcement.
News24 reports that KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi described Matlala as at the centre of a corrupt network involving politicians, senior police, and shady business deals.
This includes messages from Matlala’s phone showing intermediaries arranging meetings with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu—who previously denied knowing Matlala, only to later retract that statement.
The revelations triggered a political storm. Mchunu changed his position in Parliament to admit prior awareness of Matlala. This contradicted previous public denials and prompted warnings that misleading Parliament can be a criminal offense.
Opposition parties, including the DA, called for a formal inquiry into the political interfacing with criminal networks, particularly pointing to case dockets purposely removed to shield powerful individuals.
National Commissioner Mkhwanazi’s testimony included alleged interference with investigative teams.
The convergence of Matlala, Edwin Sodi, and high-ranking ANC members at the same event casts doubt on boundaries between politics and shady activity.
While Sodi awaits trial over the R255‑million asbestos scandal and corrupt tenders, Matlala’s influence—evidenced by reports of cellphone networks and political favours—calls into question the integrity of multiple institutions.
Calls for accountability include:
- Parliamentary investigations into police interference
- DA demands for a joint inquiry by Police and Justice Committees
- Public scrutiny of how criminal figures gain access to corridors of power
The presence of Edwin Sodi, Matlala, and senior political leaders together at a social event signals connections that have serious consequences for governance and trust in South Africa’s institutions. As investigations continue and inquiries loom, the implications could reshape expectations around public accountability and the rule of law.