The Madlanga Commission resumes its hearings today as it continues examining allegations of corruption and abuse of authority within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
Since last week, proceedings revealed that the EMPD had effectively outsourced policing responsibilities to Cat Security Services, a private company owned by businessman and accused crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The inquiry heard that the company was granted extensive law enforcement powers through memorandums of understanding signed with the city in June and October 2021.
Testifying before the commission, retired EMPD deputy chief Revo Spies said the agreements with Matlala’s company were “as if we outsource law enforcement to a private company.”
He described the arrangement as “deeply irregular,” noting that it allowed Cat Security Services to act as de facto police officers, conducting crime scene work, arrests, and investigations, without legal authority.
Spies further testified that the deal was facilitated by EMPD Director of Specialised Services Julius Mkhwanazi, who justified the partnership by claiming Matlala’s firm was assisting both the EMPD and the Hawks with surveillance and operational support.
The commission also heard that Cat Security Services was permitted to use blue lights on its vehicles, in violation of the National Road Traffic Act, which reserves such use for SAPS law enforcement vehicles.
“The arrangement was wrong,” Spies said.
“We must actually report crime to SAPS and not private security at all.”
He added that city manager Imogen Mashazi blocked his calls for a disciplinary inquiry into the arrangement, which he said had enabled serious misconduct within the department.
Spies also alleged that EMPD officers were implicated in several crimes, including theft and murder, but were shielded from accountability by senior officials.
The commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is investigating the broader issue of political and criminal infiltration within municipal policing structures.
It forms part of an overlapping series of probes into alleged state capture at local government level.
Matlala, who is currently in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Prison, has been implicated in several ongoing investigations, including the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital corruption case and an alleged plot to assassinate his ex-partner, actress Tebogo Thobejane.
The notorious tenderpreneur will also become the first person criminally accused to testify before a Parliament committee next week.
Today’s sitting is expected to hear further testimony from former EMPD officers and municipal executives about how the unauthorised agreement with Matlala’s companies was structured and maintained.
Watch the live stream of the Madlanga Commission below.
