Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala is at the centre of allegations heard before the Madlanga Commission and the parliamentary ad hoc committee. (Photo: Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images) 
What happened at the Madlanga Commission?
Explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission by former Ekurhuleni HR head, Xolani Nciza, laid bare just how deeply alleged organised crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is embedded in the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) — revealing a fake Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) linking the municipality to his company, Cat VIP Protection and Security Services.
This document ultimately sparked the now-infamous blue-light saga.
At the centre of the MOU is now-suspended EMPD deputy Julius Mkhwanazi, who unlawfully authorised the installation of police blue lights on Matlala’s private vehicles – effectively granting an alleged underworld boss the privileges of law-enforcement authority.
Nciza alleged that repeated attempts to suspend Mkhwanazi were thwarted by interference from top management.
Nciza told the commission that on the night of 23 May 2023, he received a missed WhatsApp call from the then city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi.
When he later spoke to her, she allegedly objected to the extension of Mkhwanazi’s suspension, saying: “You guys hate Julius, leave him alone. We are not going to extend the suspension.”
Nciza told the commission that Mashazi accused him of “targeting” Mkhwanazi and acting out of “personal motives”. At the end of the call, she allegedly instructed him to update Mkhwanazi’s status and prepare for his return to work.
Mkhwanazi was accused of covering up a murder scene, while officers in his unit were allegedly linked to a number of crimes. The commission also heard that 275 EMPD officers have criminal convictions, which include 58 counts of assault, 41 of theft, 33 of driving under the influence and 28 of reckless driving.
Another 15 officers are awaiting trial for murder, 14 for fraud and eight for robbery. One hundred others were awaiting trial. Four officers convicted of murder and four of rape are still in the service of EMPD.
Why it matters
Following this damning evidence, Mkhwanazi was suspended on Tuesday. City officials had been warned years earlier, but instead of acting, they allegedly protected him.
DA community safety spokesperson Jaco Terblanche slammed the “sudden” suspension as nothing more than political theatre. He had called for Mkhwanazi’s removal three years ago – but was ignored because senior figures in the metro allegedly protected him. Was it to hide the unholy relationship between Matlala and Mkhwanazi – and the serious crimes they are accused of orchestrating together?
The matter exposes how the rot in law enforcement goes beyond the South African Police Service. For Ekurhuleni residents, it casts doubt over the ability of the EMPD to enforce the rule of law.
What happened in Parliament’s ad hoc committee?
Matlala also featured in Parliament this week. During a committee meeting on Monday, it emerged that preparations are under way for Matlala to testify.
The parliamentary ad hoc committee has been tasked with investigating accusations that a drug trafficking cartel has infiltrated the country’s political and criminal justice system, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The problem? Matlala is still being detained at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria, following his arrest on charges of attempted murder and money laundering. The committee heard that Matlala had raised concerns about how he could travel to Cape Town.
Now, MPs have agreed they will go to the prison to hear oral testimony from Matlala.
On Thursday, MPs were supposed to hear more about the connections between Matlala and the man whose political ambitions he was alleged to have funded, sidelined police minister Senzo Mchunu.
Testimony by Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, had to be halted when MPs noticed inconsistencies between his written statements and his oral testimony. This included timeline inconsistencies and the timing of his first interaction with North West businessman Brown Mogotsi, who is alleged to have been the middleman between Matlala and Mchunu.
The Economic Freedom Fighters has opened perjury charges against Nkabinde after they claimed Nkabinde lied to Parliament.
Why it matters
All of this ties back to the fight against crime, particularly organised crime.
When NPA head Shamila Batohi testified on Tuesday, 11 November, the problem with organised crime in South Africa was widely acknowledged. She made a startling admission: “The reality is that we are not winning the fight against organised crime in this country.
“Solid intelligence was needed for proper investigations, she said, adding that the adage of “follow the money” was accurate. While MPs are connecting the dots between alleged organised crime networks and their links to those in power, this week showed just how far they are from getting the full picture. DM