The Madlanga Commission has confirmed that alleged crime boss and business tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is set to appear before the commission on Monday and Tuesday.
The commission said Matlala would begin testifying at 9:30am on both days.
Matlala first appeared before the commission on July 15. However, in terms of a ruling handed down by commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, his testimony was postponed to September 1.
IOL previously reported that Matlala had sought to have his testimony postponed, arguing that appearing before the commission ahead of his criminal trial could compromise his right to a fair hearing.
Madlanga subsequently ordered Matlala to submit his statement to the commission no later than July 29.
Matlala’s lawyer, Advocate Annalene van den Heever, told the commission that he was scheduled to stand trial and should not be required to testify beforehand.
She said Matlala was prepared to co-operate but needed time to prepare evidence that was truthful, accurate and supported by verified facts. Until then, she argued, he could only confirm or deny whether he knew people linked to the commission’s investigation.
Madlanga was unconvinced, questioning the basis of the request and indicating that the pending criminal case did not automatically justify delaying the commission’s proceedings.
“Your argument is not relevant to this matter,” the chairperson said.
Van den Heever maintained her position, telling Madlanga: “I stand by my position, chair, that my client cannot go ahead.”
Matlala’s testimony is expected to examine his alleged links to senior politicians, law enforcement officials and government-connected business dealings.
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Matlala first built his business interests in the private security industry before expanding into healthcare services.
In 2018, through his company Medicare24 Tshwane District, he partnered with Mike van Wyk to roll out the Medicare24 franchise in township communities.
Matlala came under intense public scrutiny after his company was awarded a South African Police Service healthcare services contract worth about R228 million in June 2024.
The tender, initially reported to be worth as much as R360 million, attracted widespread criticism after questions were raised about the company’s operational capacity, infrastructure and staffing. Before the contract was terminated, Matlala’s company had reportedly received about R50 million.
The matter is now the subject of ongoing fraud and corruption investigations.
Matlala is in custody facing 25 criminal charges, including allegations of fraud and corruption linked to public procurement, as well as an unrelated charge of attempted murder.
He has reportedly been engaged in plea negotiations with the National Prosecuting Authority, offering to co-operate with investigators in exchange for a reduced sentence. The plea negotiations later collapsed.
His name has also featured prominently before the commission, where evidence leaders and witnesses have alleged that he played a central role in a sophisticated network of organised crime and institutional corruption that infiltrated senior structures within the SAPS.
According to testimony before the commission, Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo identified Matlala as a leading figure in the so-called “Big Five” organised crime syndicate. The group has been linked to allegations involving cocaine trafficking, kidnapping, cross-border vehicle hijackings and tender-related extortion.
These allegations have not been tested in court.
The commission has also heard allegations that Matlala cultivated relationships with senior police officials through financial inducements and other benefits.
Among those implicated are Maj-General Richard Shibiri, who admitted receiving an R80,000 loan from Matlala, and Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who acknowledged receiving expensive gifts, including doses of the prescription weight-loss drug Ozempic, while overseeing the evaluation of the disputed SAPS healthcare tender.
Additional allegations before the commission implicate Major-General Lesetja Senona and Shadrack Sibiya in leaking classified police information and accepting financial benefits in exchange for protecting Matlala’s interests.
Both have been named during testimony, and the allegations remain subject to the commission’s findings.
The commission has also examined WhatsApp communications allegedly linking Matlala to political fixer Brown Mogotsi, including discussions about state matters and requests for financial support for political activities.
The names of former police ministers Bheki Cele and Senzo Mchunu have similarly surfaced during testimony as part of broader inquiries into Matlala’s alleged network of influence. Neither has been found guilty of any wrongdoing arising from the commission’s proceedings.
Among the most serious allegations presented to the commission are claims that Matlala orchestrated the assassination of Transnet whistleblower Armand Swart by allegedly hiring a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer to carry out the killing.
Witnesses further alleged that senior SAPS officials subsequently interfered with or suppressed the murder investigation.
However, the allegations remain unproven and have not been adjudicated by a court.
Separately, evidence before the commission alleges that Matlala’s security company, Cat VIP Protection, entered into an irregular memorandum of understanding with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), allowing private vehicles to be fitted with unlawful blue emergency lights reserved for law enforcement.
