Madlanga Commission to hear Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala testimony

The Madlanga Commission announced that alleged crime boss and business magnate Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala will testify before them on Monday and Tuesday at 9:30am. Matlala initially appeared before the commission on July 15 but his testimony was postponed to September 1 by the commission chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Matlala sought the delay arguing that appearing before the commission prior to his criminal trial could infringe upon his right to a fair trial.

Matlala's lawyer, Advocate Annalene van den Heever, argued that Matlala was due to stand trial and thus should not be forced to testify beforehand. He requested time to prepare truthful, accurate, and verified evidence. The Madlanga Commission, however, did not find van den Heever's arguments compelling, stating that his pending criminal case did not automatically warrant a postponement.

Matlala's testimony is set to delve into his alleged connections with high-ranking politicians, law enforcement officials, and government-related business dealings. Matlala began his business career in the private security sector before broadening it into healthcare services. In 2018, he joined forces with Mike van Wyk to launch the Medicare24 franchise in township areas.

Matlala's company Medicare24 Tshwane District was awarded a South African Police Service healthcare services contract worth around R228 million in June 2024. This contract, initially reported to be worth up to R360 million, sparked controversy due to questions raised about the company's operational capacity, infrastructure, and staffing.

The matter is currently under investigation for potential fraud and corruption. Matlala has been charged with 25 criminal offenses, including fraud and corruption allegations related to public procurement, as well as an unrelated charge of attempted murder. He has reportedly participated in plea negotiations with the National Prosecuting Authority, aiming to cooperate with investigators in exchange for a reduced sentence, but these efforts ultimately failed.

The Madlanga Commission has heard testimony linking Matlala to an organized crime network engaged in cocaine trafficking, kidnapping, cross-border vehicle hijackings, and tender-related extortion. Additionally, witnesses have alleged that Matlala fostered relationships with senior police officials through financial inducements and benefits.

The investigation also explored allegations of Matlala orchestrating the assassination of Transnet whistleblower Armand Swart and his security company's irregular agreement with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.