Fannie Masemola Says Whistleblower Alerted Him of Cat Matlala’s Alleged SAPS Connections

• National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola reveals a conversation he had with a whistleblower
• He was testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he opened up about Vusimuzi Matlala's connection with the police force
• South Africans, who have been following the proceedings closely, were taken aback by Masemola's testimony

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

PRETORIA, GAUTENG — National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola revealed that a conversation he had with a whistleblower alerted him to attempted murder accused Vusimuzi Matlala's connections in the South African Police Service (SAPS). Masemola was testifying during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry's public hearings on 22 September 2025 in Pretoria, Gauteng.

Masmemola testified at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, where the public hearings are being held. Masemola said that a whistleblower alerted him that Matlala exerted significant influence on the police force.

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Masemola said that the whistleblower told him that Matlala is one of his deputies, and Masemola did not know. He said that Matlala also does the same work as Sibiya and directs the police to do certain things. He did not clarify what these actions were. Masemola said the allegations are currently under investigation. When pressed, he insisted that because it is under investigation, it might not be a good idea to share the information.

What you need to know about Masemola's testimony

• Masemola was announced as the second witness to testify at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry's public hearings
• Masemola accused suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu of encroaching on his duties as the National Commissioner
• Masemola also accused councillors of faking assassination attempts to secure extra bodyguards for themselves
• Masemola also praised the Political Killings Task Team's ability to solve crimes and effect arrests
• Masemola also caused a stir online when he responded to the question of whether he would obey an illegal order from the police minister

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Fannie Masemola praises Political Killings Task Team's crime-fighting abilities

South Africans debate

Netizens who discussed the testimony were unsettled.

Lwei said:

"This is deeply troubling to hear."

TraorelizationOfRSA said:

"That Satan must be arrested."

Nuno Santos said:

"But this guy Cat Matlala is too powerful in a way that he became a high-ranking member of SAPS without even applying for the job."

Eugene Makhukhule said:

"If the Police commissioner himself admits that he doesn't know who's calling the shots, it raises serious questions about who truly controls SAPS."

Kgaudi said:

"As citizens, we must accept that criminals have been running the government with assistance from the ANC for 20 years."

Mkhwanazi links Sibiya and Matlala

In a related article, Briefly News reported that KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said that Matlala had big plans for suspended Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya.

Mkhwanazi said that Matlala had bragged that Sibiya was going to be the next Hawks head. This was despite the post being advertised.

Source: Briefly News