Controversial businessman and organised crime accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is back before Parliament’s ad hoc committee at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre today, where he is expected to continue his explosive testimony about alleged corruption and political interference in South Africa’s policing structures.
The hearing is being broadcast live, and the stream is embedded below for readers to follow proceedings in real time.
Matlala’s first appearance at the prison-based sitting saw him accuse former police minister Bheki Cele of demanding a R500 000 “facilitation fee” to secure the return of his firearms and “stop the harassment” following a police raid on his Pretoria home.
He alleged that he made two cash payments — R300 000 at his residence and R200 000 at Durban’s Beverly Hills Hotel — and insisted Cele “lied under oath” about the nature of their relationship when the former minister previously testified before the same committee.
Vusi Cat Matlala’s evidence at the Kgosi Mampuru inquiry
MPs travelled from Cape Town to Kgosi Mampuru prison to hear Matlala’s testimony in an inquiry that is probing claims a drug cartel has infiltrated elements of South Africa’s criminal justice system and political structures.
During his earlier appearance, Matlala described a December 2024 raid at his Waterkloof home, where armed officers in balaclavas allegedly forced his children to lie on the floor while they searched the property and seized firearms, phones and valuables.
He told the committee some of these items were later recovered with Cele’s help, which he linked to the alleged R500 000 payoff.
Matlala also detailed his connections to senior police figures and politicians, including now-suspended SAPS deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, Crime Intelligence boss Feroz Khan and former police minister Senzo Mchunu.
Evidence led at the separate Madlanga Commission suggested Matlala may have had advance knowledge of the disbandment of the SAPS Political Killings Task Team, which had been investigating him, and pointed to alleged funding of Mchunu’s ANC presidential ambitions through North West businessman Brown Mogotsi.
The ad hoc committee is expected to continue questioning Matlala on these relationships, the circumstances around the raid, his allegations of bribe demands and his claims that law-enforcement structures were manipulated to protect certain interests while targeting others.
Criminal charges Matlala is facing
Beyond the parliamentary inquiry, Matlala remains in custody on serious criminal charges.
He is facing counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud and defeating the ends of justice linked to incidents in Johannesburg in October 2023.
The case includes allegations that he plotted to kill his then-girlfriend, socialite Tebogo Thobejane, and two other people.
Those charges are being dealt with in the criminal courts and have not yet been tested at trial.
At Wednesday’s sitting, Matlala also told MPs about his personal background, including that he is a father of nine children and that he previously served a four-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2001 for buying and selling stolen goods.
He said his current incarceration and solitary confinement have affected his memory, at times making it difficult to recall dates and details during questioning.
What the ad hoc committee is probing
Parliament’s ad hoc committee was established to investigate allegations of:
- Unlawful disbandment of the SAPS Political Killings Task Team (PKTT)
- A moratorium on filling posts within SAPS
- Alleged corrupt relationships between senior SAPS officials and members of the public
- Claims of political interference in SAPS operations
Matlala’s testimony has been identified as key to understanding how alleged corrupt networks may have intersected with high-level police decision-making and political projects, including internal ANC campaigns.
His evidence is scheduled to continue until Friday, with MPs expected to test his allegations against documents, phone records and prior testimony from senior police and political figures.
How to watch Vusi Cat Matlala’s testimony live
Today’s session at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre is expected to run for several hours as Matlala returns to the witness chair alongside his legal team.
Readers can watch the proceedings as they unfold via the live stream embedded below.
