Alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala appeared before the Madlanga Commission, denying that he gave 20 impala to Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya as a gift. Matlala claimed he allowed Sergeant Fannie Nkosi to take the impala from his Bela-Bela farm to get rid of them, without knowing who would receive them. He stated that he only found out the impala were headed to Sibiya's residence after Nkosi shared the address.
Evidence leader Thabang Pooe presented WhatsApp evidence showing that Matlala and Nkosi exchanged a case docket for the 20 impala over several days in March 2024. Pooe questioned Matlala about the coincidence, asking if the two events were connected. Matlala denied any connection, claiming he couldn't recall the case. He also disputed his previous testimony, stating that he didn't know the impala were going to Sibiya until Nkosi sent him the address.
Matlala's witness statement, drafted by Investigative Directorate Against Corruption investigators, contradicted his testimony. In the statement, he claimed to have asked Nkosi to confirm the delivery address and provided it to his farm manager, Rudi Botha. However, Matlala denied this, saying he didn't know who the impala were going to until Nkosi sent him the address. He attributed the discrepancies to the investigators, including Dylan Perumal and Brian Padayachee.
The commission displayed WhatsApp chats between Sibiya and General Hilda Senthumule discussing the impala dying at Sibiya's farm. Matlala denied speaking to Senthumule or knowing who took the impala. When questioned about his conversation with Commissioner Khumalo, Matlala admitted that he thought Nkosi was trying to impress his boss once he found out the impala were for Sibiya.
Matlala denied having a quid pro quo arrangement with Sibiya and Nkosi, stating that he didn't expect anything in return for the impala. He claimed that he started making R500,000 payments to Sibiya after the impala incident. Matlala also denied evidential testimony about his association with Major General Sandrah Thema and Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who facilitated his awarding of the R360 million Medicare24 contract.
Matlala's relationship with Thema was questioned, with evidence suggesting that she was a silent partner in the SAPS Hospital Business. Matlala denied including a paragraph in his witness statement about his arrangement with Thema, attributing it to the investigators. When asked about his relationship with Matjeng, Matlala asserted his privilege not to incriminate himself, refusing to answer related questions.
The Madlanga Commission's investigation into Matlala's alleged corrupt activities continues, with further testimony and evidence to be presented. Key points from Matlala's testimony include his denial of a quid pro quo arrangement with Sibiya and Nkosi, and his claims of not knowing the impala's recipient. The commission will likely continue to scrutinize Matlala's testimony and evidence to determine the extent of his involvement in alleged corrupt activities.
Key points
- Matlala denies giving Sibiya impala as a gift
- WhatsApp evidence suggests possible quid pro quo arrangement between Matlala, Nkosi, and Sibiya
- Matlala's testimony contradicts his previous witness statement drafted by investigators
Reporting sources
- Matlala denies giving Sibiya impala as a gift · Mail & Guardian
