Controversial businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, an alleged crime kingpin, has testified before a parliamentary committee, claiming that KwaZulu-Natal's top police officer, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, made veiled threats against his life. Matlala alleges that Mkhwanazi implied he would "take him out" should any harm befall the national Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, following the cancellation of Matlala's lucrative police contract.
Matlala made these startling revelations on Wednesday while appearing before the Parliament ad hoc committee investigating allegations of widespread police corruption. Due to his incarceration at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where he is awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder, the committee convened at the facility to accommodate his testimony.
This marks the first time Matlala has publicly linked Mkhwanazi to the cancellation of his multi-million-rand tender, which was terminated at the end of 2024. The tender, reportedly worth R360 million, had been a significant source of income for Matlala's business ventures.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the saga, Matlala implicated former Minister Bheki Cele, stating that it was Cele who facilitated a meeting between him and Mkhwanazi. The purpose of this meeting, according to Matlala, was to address issues surrounding payments related to the tender and the subsequent cancellation of the contract.
During his testimony, Matlala recounted a chilling exchange with Mkhwanazi. He claimed that Mkhwanazi conveyed a message to Masemola, stating that if Masemola feared Matlala would "take him out" in response to the contract cancellation, Mkhwanazi would then "take care of" Matlala.
Matlala elaborated on this alleged threat, stating: "Mkhwanazi said to me that, he said to national commissioner that, 'commissioner, if you think that your life is in danger, just say the word, I will take care of this Cat'. I asked him what do you mean? He told me that there’s only one way I can take care of you permanently, but he didn’t say like kill you.” This statement, while not explicitly a death threat, carries a strong implication of potential harm, raising serious questions about the conduct of a high-ranking police official.
The committee's investigation is focused on uncovering the extent of corruption within the police force, and Matlala's testimony provides a potentially explosive piece of the puzzle. His claims against Mkhwanazi, if proven true, could have significant repercussions for the police leadership and the overall credibility of the force.
Matlala also alluded to suspicions surrounding the decision-making process of a certain Mchunu, who initially called for the cancellation of the contract but later appeared hesitant to proceed with it. Matlala's testimony suggests that there may have been undue influence or other factors at play in Mchunu's change of heart.
The ad hoc committee is expected to continue its investigation, delving deeper into Matlala's claims and seeking further evidence to corroborate or refute his allegations. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching consequences for the individuals involved and for the integrity of the South African police service. The public awaits further developments with bated breath, hoping for a transparent and thorough examination of these serious allegations.
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