Durban – The mystery surrounding the cache of firearms seized from businesswoman Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize’s La Lucia mansion in November last year has deepened, with the Portfolio Committee on Police revealing that the weapons belonged to flamboyant entrepreneur Vusumuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. This revelation comes amidst explosive allegations linking Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to Matlala and a criminal syndicate, raising serious questions about the integrity of the police force and the criminal justice system.
The more than 40 firearms, including rifles and pistols, were confiscated during a raid on MaMkhize’s Durban residence on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, by a joint team comprising the Hawks, the SA Police Service (SAPS), and the SA Revenue Service (Sars). The operation unfolded after SARS secured a search warrant from the Durban High Court the previous Thursday, following unsuccessful attempts to obtain necessary documents from Mkhize and her son, Andile, as part of an ongoing tax inquiry.
During the raid, authorities bypassed the security of a safe within the property, utilising a locksmith to gain access. Inside, they discovered not only the cache of firearms and ammunition but also a significant quantity of documents, all of which were confiscated.
The raid was part of an ongoing dispute between Mamkhize and SARS over an outstanding tax bill of approximately R40 million. While Mamkhize was reportedly absent during the raid, her daughter Sibahle Mpisane and daughter-in-law Tamia were present. Initial discoveries included six firearms found in a car boot and others hidden under a blanket. The security guard on duty was unable to identify the owners of these weapons, as they lacked the necessary licences. The search intensified when officers discovered an unmounted safe in the garage. A locksmith was summoned to open the safe, revealing a far larger arsenal of approximately 40 to 50 rifles and shotguns, along with additional ammunition.
Her daughter-in-law, Tamia Mpisane was questioned by police but later released. A source close to the raid confirmed that the confiscated firearms and other evidence were transported to a Durban police station for ballistic testing to determine if they were used in any criminal activity.
Adding to the intrigue, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations on Sunday, accusing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of links to the underworld and of meddling in criminal investigations. He tied the minister to Matlala, who scored a R360 million SAPS tender and was embroiled in the Tembisa Hospital’s R850 million fraud flagged by whistleblower, the late Babita Deokaran. Deokaran, who was the acting chief financial officer in the Gauteng department of health, was killed outside her Johannesburg home in August 2021.
Ian Cameron, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, told the media at a briefing in Cape Town on Monday that two months ago, they had begun questioning how Matlala’s security company, CAT VIP Protection, continuously received firearm accreditation from the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) despite his past transgressions.
In May, Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola cancelled Matlala’s contract, pointing out that his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, should never have made it past the first round of the bidding process. During his briefing on Sunday, Mkhwanazi revealed that Matlala’s arrest on attempted murder charges led police to uncover, through cellphone analysis, a link between Matlala, Brown Mogotsi and the minister.
Cameron said PSIRA had responded to their concern about the continued accreditation of Matlala’s company by saying they could not find any transgression. "Now, if it were you or I who kept firearms illegally at a property where they’re not registered to be kept, and it’s not fit and proper for keeping those firearms, we would not only face criminal charges, but we would obviously have our firearms seized. All of the firearms were returned to the said security company," Cameron lamented. He added that up until now, despite the parliamentary questions submitted two months ago, there had been no answer on the matter.
Cameron said Mkhwanazi’s explosive revelations were an indictment not just of the police but also of the entire criminal justice system. He said if true, what Mkhwanazi revealed explains why the system has not been able to effectively arrest the ever-increasing criminality and that it has weakened the police, enabled corruption and undermined the rule of law.
The police minister released a statement on Sunday, rebutting the claims, adding, “All these statements made by Mkhwanazi in public require an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation on a proper platform.”
The raid on MaMkhize's mansion extended beyond her La Lucia residence, encompassing properties linked to her, including a Sandhurst property in Johannesburg, a farm in Pietermaritzburg, and a four-storey house in Enkanyezini near Pietermaritzburg. SARS confirmed that the Durban High Court had granted a preservation order and search-and-seizure warrant in relation to the tax matter, dating back to 2018.
Adding to Mamkhize's current difficulties, her Betway Premiership club, Royal AM, faces sanctions from FIFA for failing to pay former players Samir Nurkovic and Ricardo Nascimento. The Court of Arbitration for Sport recently ruled in favour of Nurkovic, awarding him R15 million in damages for breach of contract.
The seized luxury vehicles – including a Mercedes-Benz G-wagon, a Ferrari, a Maserati, and a Rolls-Royce Ghost – are currently under the control of a curator, pending the outcome of the tax investigation. SARS is seeking R37 million from Mkhize, and if this amount remains unpaid, the vehicles will be auctioned.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the firearms belonged to a prominent former presidential protection services officer, now a taxi boss, who provides security for Mkhize. This individual, whose identity is known to the news crew, also owns the security companies VVIP Protection and VIP Security.
Police sources raised concerns about the legality of storing the firearms at Mkhize's residence, highlighting that the Firearms Act requires written permission from the firearm owner and SAPS consent for a licensed individual to store another's firearms. Furthermore, six additional firearms were discovered hidden under sheets within the property.
The police operation was extensive, involving a large contingent of officers from various units, including the tactical unit, Hawks, and an organised crime unit. They surrounded the mansion early that morning, scaling the high walls to gain access from multiple points. At the guardhouse, a security officer was apprehended after it was discovered that his firearm licences had expired. He was found with a rifle and a pistol, improperly stored, along with additional firearms concealed under a blanket and in his car's boot.
Inside the garage, two safes were discovered. One was empty, while the other contained the 40 seized firearms and ammunition. The firearms were linked to the taxi boss's security company, but their licences had expired, raising further legal concerns. The improper wall mounting of the safe, a violation of the Firearms Control Act, also drew attention.
The police's investigation revealed that Mkhize had distanced herself from the firearms, claiming they belonged to the taxi boss. Her daughter-in-law, Tamia Mpisane, initially claimed responsibility for the property, leading to her arrest. However, she was later released after her lawyer promised the firearm owner would claim them, a promise that remains unfulfilled.
Separate incidents involving confrontations between SARS officials and armed guards protecting Mkhize, once on a Pietermaritzburg farm and again in Johannesburg, further heightened concerns. In Pietermaritzburg, Mkhize reportedly arrived with a kombi full of armed guards, causing SARS officials to retreat. This incident, along with the earlier Johannesburg confrontation, contributed to the significant police presence during Tuesday's raid.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter lauded the successful search warrant, stating it represented “a crucial step in Sars’ strategic objective to make it increasingly difficult and costly for taxpayers to wilfully and intentionally engage in criminal activity.” He highlighted SARS's ongoing investigations within the construction industry and emphasised the organisation's commitment to upholding tax laws.
Kieswetter stressed that SARS would not hesitate to pursue its mandate, regardless of an individual's social standing, and that no one is above the law. He underscored the importance of tax compliance for supporting vulnerable members of society.
The unfolding saga continues to generate significant public interest and raises critical questions about the security arrangements surrounding high-profile individuals, the enforcement of firearms regulations, and the integrity of the police force in South Africa. The allegations against Police Minister Mchunu add a further layer of complexity to the situation, demanding an urgent and transparent investigation to restore public trust.
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