The Madlanga Commission is set to resume on Friday, 7 November 2025, continuing its inquiry into alleged misconduct involving members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
Thursday’s sitting heard evidence from EMPD Chief Jabulani Isaac Mapiyeye, who testified about Matlala’s alleged illegal blue-light cavalcade and the purported involvement of EMPD official Julius Mkhwanazi in facilitating its operations.
The inquiry was told that documents presented by Mkhwanazi included memorandums of agreement between the EMPD and Matlala’s company, CAT VIP Protection Services.
One of the 2021 letters signed by Mkhwanazi described what he called a “working relationship” between the EMPD and CAT VIP, stating that the two entities had a “memorandum of understanding” allowing CAT VIP to assist with “VIP protection and security services in and outside the city of Ekurhuleni.”
These documents, the commission heard, also proposed that EMPD officers could use blue and red lights on vehicles “to respond for and on behalf of EMPD.”
Mapiyeye testified that the arrangements outlined by Mkhwanazi were not lawful and did not comply with municipal policy on donations and partnerships.
He said there was no record that the alleged vehicle donations from CAT VIP had been approved by the city manager or declared to the National Treasury as required.
Further testimony cast a spotlight on tensions within the department. Mapiyeye alleged that Mkhwanazi, with backing from then city manager Imogen Mashazi, had made numerous unauthorised appointments and promotions within the EMPD.
He told the commission that more than 50 appointments made in mid-2024 bypassed official processes and were “in large part” drawn from Mkhwanazi’s unit.
Mashazi, who has denied wrongdoing, was previously reported to have halted an internal investigation into Mkhwanazi despite what was described as a “damning” preliminary report.
The commission is expected to continue examining the circumstances surrounding these allegations and the governance issues within the Ekurhuleni municipality’s law enforcement structures.
The Madlanga Commission will continue hearing testimony today, with proceedings scheduled to begin at 09:30 SAST.
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