Explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission this week revealed fresh details about a R1.2 billion South African Police Service (SAPS) tender allegedly linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The revelations came from a detective known as Witness C, who testified before the commission in a partially closed session. His voice was broadcast, but his face was concealed to protect his identity.
According to evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission, Witness C told Advocate Ofentse Motlhasedi that he joined the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in May 2020, investigating political murders in KwaZulu-Natal before assisting the Gauteng Counterintelligence Operations (GCIOPS) in the investigation of the murder of Armand Swart on 2 December 2024.
During this deployment, he uncovered what he described as obstruction from senior police officials and irregularities in key reports, leading to 24-hour protection and relocation to a safe house with two other witnesses.
Witness C testified that one of the two kidnapping cases he handled involved Matlala’s former business partner, Jerry Boshoga, who was allegedly being held captive at Matlala’s Centurion home.
On 6 December 2024, a raid was conducted at the property, where investigators found firearms, torn white sheets matching ransom footage, and staff claiming to work for “CAT VIP Protection.”
The firearms were confiscated after it was found that their permits were digitally signed, which is prohibited under the Firearms Control Act.
Although Boshoga was not found during the search, Witness C said he discovered further irregularities and interactions suggesting Matlala had close connections with senior SAPS officials.
Matlala allegedly named Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, counterintelligence head Feroz Khan, and organised crime head Richard Shibiri as associates.
He also claimed to be related to KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss, Lesetja Senona.
Witness C testified that Matlala said Generals Sibiya and Senona helped him secure the SAPS tender.
Matlala allegedly revealed that after each payment from the police, he made follow-up payments to General Sibiya. He further alleged that General Khan frequently used his Menlyn Maine penthouse and that he maintained contact with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, with a meeting arranged through a man identified as Brown Mogotsi.
Matlala reportedly showed Witness C an ABSA account linked to Sergeant F. Nkosi from SAPS Detective Services, claiming Nkosi was the intermediary through whom payments were delivered to General Sibiya. Matlala admitted to transferring funds electronically and later handing over physical cash packages to Nkosi.
Further evidence suggested attempts to conceal and destroy electronic data. Cellphones seized from Matlala and his wife were handed to cybercrime experts but could not be analysed.
Witness C testified that Matlala later confessed to burning the devices, claiming he feared they had been “bugged.”
The testimony also revealed that Matlala allegedly knew about the police operation before it happened, suggesting he had been tipped off.
“My conclusion is that Matlala had ample time to move Jerry Boshoga as he knew we were coming,” Witness C said.
The week’s hearings closed with Witness C detailing multiple linked operations across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, involving raids on Matlala’s property, the home of businessman Katiso Molefe, and the arrest of a third suspect, Lucky Molefe.
He also described how Sedibeng District Commissioner Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu allegedly disguised his identity to visit Molefe in prison, claiming to be a relative.
The Madlanga Commission is expected to continue its hearings next week, with further testimony anticipated from intelligence and forensic officers linked to the investigation.
