---
title: "Mashatile rubbishes claims he met with ‘Cat’ Matlala"
description: "Evidence before the Madlanga Commission revealed that alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala had arranged a meeting with Deputy President Paul Mashatile."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "NEWSFLASH"
author: "Vincent Cruywagen"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/vincent-cruywagen-2/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-23-vusimuzi-cat-matlala-linked-to-planned-paul-mashatile-meeting/"
published: "2026-03-23T14:22:26"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 548
---

# Mashatile rubbishes claims he met with ‘Cat’ Matlala

> Evidence before the Madlanga Commission revealed that alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala had arranged a meeting with Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

By Vincent Cruywagen · Published 23 March 2026, 16:22 SAST

## Key points
- Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, alleged crime boss, reportedly arranged a meeting with Deputy President Paul Mashatile, raising concerns about organised crime’s influence in government.
- Sergeant Fannie Nkosi testified before the Madlanga Commission, claiming Matlala urgently needed his Luxor card for the meeting with Mashatile and suspended deputy police chief Shadrack Sibiya.
- Nkosi previously omitted mention of Mashatile in his written statement, leading to speculation about potential protection for the deputy president.
- Mashatile’s spokesperson confirmed awareness of the allegations and stated a formal response would follow consultations with Mashatile.

## Content

The latest jaw-dropping claim that has emerged from Sergeant Fannie Nkosi’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission is that organised-crime-accused Vuzimuzi “Cat” Matlala allegedly arranged a meeting with Deputy President Paul Mashatile – raising serious questions about how deeply criminal networks may have penetrated the highest levels of government.

Mashatile has “categorically” denied the claims.

Nkosi made the assertion on Monday, 23 March 2026, during his marathon testimony before the commission while he was grilled by evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson.

Nkosi told the commission: “Matlala called \[me\]. He needed this Luxor card again urgently as he was going to meet Deputy President Paul Mashatile and then meet suspended deputy police chief Shadrack Sibiya.”

![Vince-Nkosi-Day2-Madlanga](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/GjKkLxV0cTQEfEVMjqyOsGY0bas=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/ED_600325_178724.jpg)

*Sergeant Fannie Nkosi testifies at Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at Brigette Mabandla Judicial College on 16 March 2026 in Pretoria. (Photo: Gallo Images / Frennie Shivambu)*

The Luxor card refers to a credit card belonging to Matlala that was in Nkosi’s possession. He has claimed he had it because it was left in a jet ski owned by Pretoria taxi boss Jothan Zanemvula Msibi, who died in 2024.

Matlala is said to have left both his credit card and driver’s licence in the jet ski, which was later collected by Nkosi on the instruction of Msibi’s son in December 2024.

[Read more

Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, information and kickback peddler between ‘Big Five’ and SAPS

March 22, 2026 ![Image](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/MnaXU8cqCH92YCqFwLsrsBPDnDg=/450x0/smart/file/attachments/orphans/greg_109470.jpg)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-22-sergeant-fannie-nkosi-information-and-kickback-peddler-between-big-five-and-saps/)

Matlala allegedly contacted Nkosi to retrieve his card, indicating it was needed in connection with a meeting with Mashatile, and later with Sibiya. Nkosi struggled to explain why he had the card or who withdrew almost R40,000 while it was in his possession, but he insisted the card was not given to him as a bribe.

Nkosi acknowledged that WhatsApp records show he sent photos of the credit card to Matlala on 23 December, 2024, immediately following discussions about the planned meeting with Mashatile and subsequent meeting with Sibiya.

Weeks earlier, police raided Matlala’s home, searching for his kidnapped business partner, Jerry Boshoga. Nkosi admitted he was on the phone with Matlala during the raid by the Political Killings Task Team, raising concerns that he might have tipped Matlala off, which he denied.

Chaskalson pointed out that Nkosi had omitted any reference to Mashatile in his written statement to the commission.

When asked whether he might have deliberately excluded the information to protect the deputy president, Nkosi replied: “No.”

In a statement, Mashatile’s spokesperson, Keith Khoza, said: “Deputy President Paul Mashatile has noted claims made by Sergeant Fannie Nkosi at the Madlanga Commission earlier today to the effect that the deputy president met with Mr Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala or that the latter intended to meet with him.

“Deputy President Mashatile categorically denies the claims. Of significance is that the deputy president does not know the individuals referenced in the testimony and has never had any association or dealings with them. Of greater significance is that the deputy president was out of the country at the time that Mr Matlala purportedly met with him or intended to do so.”

He added that Mashatile is prepared to cooperate with the commission.

This is a developing story.**DM**

*This story was updated to include Paul Mashatile’s response to Fannie Nkosi’s claims. (Updated: 23 March 2025)*

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