Organised crime-accused Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's appearance before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was marked by a dispute over evidence gathered by investigator Bongani Dlamini. Matlala's counsel, advocate Annelene van den Heever, argued that a March consultation detailing Matlala's dealings with former deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya was confidential and inadmissible.
The consultation took place at Pretoria's Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, with Matlala's defence team insisting it was off the record. However, evidence leader advocate Mahlape Sello SC rejected the claim, stating the session was formally intended to secure a statement from Matlala. This led to a clash over Dlamini's account of the meeting, which challenges Matlala's testimony.
Dlamini's notes suggest Matlala claimed Sibiya assisted him in securing an SAPS health-services tender for Medicare24. Matlala allegedly withdrew R500,000 from his companies and delivered the cash to Sibiya at his home in Centurion's Copperleaf Golf Estate. Van den Heever said she would file an affidavit seeking to have Dlamini's evidence excluded and expunged from the commission's record.
Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga directed van den Heever to submit an affidavit setting out her version and the relief she sought. The evidence leaders will then respond. Matlala was allowed to continue his testimony, but Madlanga instructed that if the commission accepted Van den Heever's version, evidence relating to Dlamini's disputed account would be expunged.
Matlala confirmed paying Sibiya R550,000, with R500,000 going towards Sibiya's son's wedding in North West and R50,000 covering travel expenses linked to the SAPS Excellence Awards in Durban. Cross-examined by evidence leader advocate Thabang Pooe, Matlala confirmed that his Section 204 statement, recording the R500,000 wedding payment, was correct.
However, Matlala's account differed from earlier disclosures, including a recorded interview with Witness C, now in the witness protection programme. In that interview, Matlala described requests for money for a wedding, a farm and other expenses, and allegedly told Witness C that he delivered cash to Sibiya's home. The commission also heard that Matlala had previously told investigators he gave Sibiya R400,000 for the wedding – R100,000 less than the amount he mentioned in his Section 204 statement.
The evidence also placed Matlala's relationship with suspended police sergeant Fannie Nkosi under scrutiny, particularly Nkosi's alleged role in his dealings with Sibiya. Matlala rejected claims that Sibiya had praised Nkosi for burying complaints against Medicare24 and urged Matlala to arrange further payouts for the sergeant, accusing Idac investigators of fabricating them.
Key points
- Matlala disputes allegations of bribing former deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
- The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry heard conflicting versions of Matlala's dealings with Sibiya.
- Matlala's testimony also touched on payments to his former girlfriend, dismissed police brigadier Rachel Matjeng.
