Smangaliso Nsizwane, an associate of Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala and a VIP protection worker, has stated that he did not know what the product was in a video of white "bricks" being weighed. He claimed to have received the video from Matome "Falaz" Sefalafala, a Limpopo-based businessman who owed him over R2m for protection services. Nsizwane said he had been cooperating with the Madlanga commission and had provided all the information he had.
Nsizwane's testimony at the Madlanga commission revealed that he had sent the video to Matlala, who then forwarded it to his business partner Mike van Wyk. Matlala had asked van Wyk to "get a good price" for the bricks, which were embossed with the brand Prestige. However, Matlala later claimed that the conversations were about "minerals" and not cocaine, despite being unable to specify what the bricks were. He suggested that the bricks could be made of gold, platinum, or rhodium.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi expressed skepticism over Matlala's claims, stating that it didn't make sense for him to ask for a good price without knowing what the product was. Nsizwane said he had also sent the video to people in the mining industry, but they were unfamiliar with the product. He then sent it to Matlala, who also did not know what it was. This led to confusion, but Matlala later received a voice note from van Wyk that Nsizwane had sent to Sefalafala.
Sefalafala, who was charged in 2020 for kidnapping and extortion, allegedly hired two police officers to fabricate a bogus arrest warrant against a former Lepelle Northern Water Board acting CEO. Evidence showed that one of the officers, David Mkhabela, was paid R48,000 to provide muscle. Mkhabela has since died, while the other officer, Gideon Matlala, is charged alongside Sefalafala. Sefalafala did not respond to calls and questions.
Nsizwane stated that he had given all the information he had to the commission, including proof that Sefalafala owed him R2.1m. The commission has established that Booysens police seized white bricks branded with the word "Prestige", which were found to be cocaine. However, Matlala continued to claim that the bricks were mining products.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo and Baloyi were unconvinced by Matlala's claims, with Baloyi stating that it was illogical for Matlala to ask for a good price without knowing what the product was. Matlala claimed he was doing Nsizwane a favour by asking around for potential buyers interested in the "mineral". The investigation is ongoing.
The Madlanga commission's findings have raised questions about the nature of the "bricks" and the individuals involved. Key points include:
Key points
- Nsizwane's claim that he did not know what the product was in the video.
- Matlala's inconsistent claims about the bricks being mining products.
- Sefalafala's alleged involvement in a kidnapping and extortion case.
