Vusimuzi Matlala’s WhatsApp Chats Reveal His Annoyance With Senzo Mchunu Over Cancelled SAPS Tender

• Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo shared more explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
• Khumalo shared WhatsApp conversations between Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and North West businessman Brown Mogotsi
• In one conversation, Matlala expressed frustration with the Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, over one of his decisions

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 – Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was allegedly angry with Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, after a review was initiated into his R360-million tender from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

That’s according to Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, who was testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. The Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence focused on conversations between Matlala and North West businessman Brown Mogotsi during his second day of testimony on 30 September 2025.

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While the evidence focused on Mogotsi and Matlala’s dealings, it also revealed Cat’s thoughts on the minister’s decision to review his tender. Medicare24, of which Matlala was the sole director, was awarded a R360 million tender that was cancelled in 2024 after an investigation ordered by Mchunu.

Khumalo produces screenshots detailing Matlala’s unhappiness

During his testimony, the Project Leader of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) revealed screenshots of WhatsApp chats between Matlala and Mogotsi in which the tenderpreneur complained about Mchunu. The screenshots were taken after police arrested Matlala and seized his phones.

Khumalo then led the commissioners to one conversation where Matlala sent Mogotsi screenshots of a News24 article about General Fannie Masemola being ordered to terminate the R360-million tender.

In the message in March 2025, Matlala expressed annoyance that the order was given under Mchunu’s instruction.

“I will see where to go from here. I am not taking this [lightly],” his message read.

Mchunu mentioned in other messages

Khumalo also showed the commissioners other messages between Mogotsi and Matlala in which Mchunu was mentioned. In one message, the North West businessman told Matlala that he arranged a meeting for Sibiya and the minister.

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Sibiya is believed to be Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, the Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection. Masemola previously alleged that Sibiya and Mchunu were working to protect criminal syndicates.

Khumalo also presented evidence of communication between Mogotsi and Mchunu.

What you need to know about the Madlanga Commission

The commission began on 17 September 2025 and has been filled with some explosive allegations already.

• General Mkhwanazi accused the Presidency of interfering with investigations.
• The KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner claimed that Vusimuzi Matlala’s cars were registered by the State.
• The police’s Head of Legal Services, General Petronella Van Rooyen, said Mchunu didn’t have the power to disband the task team.
• Masemola accused Mchunu and General Shadrack Sibiya of trying to protect criminal syndicates.
• The National Prosecuting Authority’s Elaine Harrison said she was not informed about the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team.

Khumalo lists five crime cartels operating in the country

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Briefly News reported that Khumalo revealed five major cartels were operating in the country.

He also implicated Vusimuzi Matlala and Katiso Molefe as heads of two of the cartels.

South Africans were stunned by the claims and were looking forward to what else he had to say.

Source: Briefly News