Vusimuzi Matlala’s Con to Have Cars Registered by the State Exposed, SA Questions Cat’s Influence
- A former Ekurhuleni Metro official explained how Vusimuzi Matlala was able to get his vehicles registered by the State
- Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi testified at the Madlanga Commission that Cat's vehicles were registered
- South Africans weighed in on the official's claims, questioning how Matlala was able to get away with so much before
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry opened up a can of worms about corruption and police interference in the criminal justice system.
Following the testimony by KwaZulu-Natal’s Police Commissioner, more details are coming to light about some of his allegations, including claims that Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s vehicles were registered as State vehicles.
In an exclusive interview with eNCA, a former Ekurhuleni Metro official confirmed that the allegations were true and even explained how Matlala managed to get away with it.
Former official explains Matlala’s method
Xolani Nciza, the former Divisional Head of Employee Relations, said that in 2023, they were alerted to the issue of blue lights and began an investigation into the matter.
“The investigation indeed revealed that there was some malfeasance that had happened. That was orchestrated through an alleged donation that Cat Matlala’s company had made to the municipality,” he explained.
Nciza continued that the donation did not actually materialise, as there was no formal handover. The vehicles were never made part of the municipality’s asset register, but a fabricated donation letter was then produced, and the vehicles were registered under the municipality.
As investigations continued, the vehicles were then re-registered under CAT VIP Protection. The vehicles were a BMW X5, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, a BMW 3 Series and a VW Golf GTI.
Was anyone charged in connection with the matter?
Nciza said that the municipality decided to prosecute the then Director of Specialised Services, Major-General Julius Mkhwanazi. When charges were going to be filed, they were allegedly blocked from doing so.
He explained that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) also found that Mkhwanazi was guilty of wrongdoing and advised the municipality to take action, while it would also conduct its own processes in terms of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Nciza said he contacted one of his managers who dealt with serving charges to proceed, but this official contacted Mkhwanazi, who then contacted the city manager. An instruction was then sent to Human Resources to stop the serving of the charges. Mkhwanazi was never charged.
Source: Twitter
Nciza described this as a capture of the municipality, saying that this was a straightforward process that never transpired. He added that if called upon, he would appear before the commission with proof about what happened.
How did South Africans react?
Social media weighed in on the allegations, with many questioning how Cat Matlala had so much power.
Linda G Mazibuko said:
“The cat must be invited to reveal things in the commission.”
Mojalefa Mokoena added:
“The issue is not the handover, but whether the cars are indeed registered under the city, and you answered that😏.”
Manuku Tsukulu stated:
“Kahle Kahle, this was the Republic of Matlala until now.”
Nthebe Mozhina noted:
“Oh, so it means that if it wasn't for Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, everything would still be under the carpet and life would go on as usual.”
Percival Mntungwa asked:
“Can they give Cat Matlala a chance to tell us how he became the Minister of Police?”
Unathi Lulu Mahonga questioned:
“Kanti lo Cat, how did he just run South Africa? Who took him in? Who is his mentor? Ngoba, he didn't just wake up and have so much control😭.”
Nuna Khoabis noted:
“But they have been quiet all along.”
Jason Naidoo joked:
“Someone let the cat out of the bag🤣.”
Shwele Baba stated:
“I wish Cat would turn State witness.”
Other statements made by Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi
Briefly News reported that Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi made several explosive allegations during the Madlanga Commission.
- Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi exposed how the corrupt justice system allowed for violent offenders to repeat their crimes.
- The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner claimed that the Presidency tried to disrupt policing and investigations.
- Mkhwanazi also claimed that Matlala was pushing for Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya to be the new Hawks head.
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Source: Briefly News
