Acting EMPD chief signed unauthorised agreement with Cat Matlala's private security

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) chief Jabulani Isaac Mapiyeye told the commission that acting metro police chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi had concluded a memorandum of agreement with Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s company, Cat VIP Security, without authorisation allowing for the “donation” of vehicles and a helicopter to the EMPD.

Reading out a letter dated 15, June 2022, from cat VIP protection, titled letter of intention to commit, in the letter, the CEO-Matlala claims that the company has signed a memorandum of agreement with EMPD, which aims to enhance EMPD's efforts in crime prevention and community safety and to assist in VIP protection training, tactical training and skill development.

The letter goes further to claim that the company, in order to achieve these objectives, intends to donate four vehicles, and to lend EMPD a helicopter to fly for a maximum of two hours per month, which will aid the department to gain an aerial view of the city during their operations.

While Mapiyeye acknowledges that these are needed resources in the police fraternity to help curb crime, he said: “we cannot just accept donations without following the right processes.”

He described the memorandum fraudulent, adding that he later deposed an affidavit to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which confirmed his view.

He further testified about a fraud and corruption investigation linked to the so-called “blue lights saga,” involving Mkhwanazi and Matlala.

Mapiyeye said that in February 2023,a journalist had sent queries to the EMPD about blue lights allegedly fitted into a vehicle belonging to Cat VIP, in violation of the law. He told the commission he was on leave at the time but later learned the matter was under investigation.

He said an IPID report dated 1 September 2023 found that Mkhwanazi acted “unlawfully with full intent of corruption,” noting that there was a strong case.

“He acted unlawfully with full intent of corruption, as Cat VIP unduly benefited as license fees of their vehicles were paid for by the city of Ekurhuleni, the suspect misrepresented himself and the EMPD, he presented a non existent memorandum of understanding, which was the basis of all fraudulent activities that took place,” he said

The report recommended disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi, but Mapiyeye said none was taken. “No disciplinary steps were taken.”

Mapiyeye said the docket was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but no progress has been made. “We are so frustrated with this case.For the longest time, we were told it is with the DPP, but I could not get any feedback,” Mapiyeye said.

Mapiyeye also revealed that Cat VIP Security was not one of the 10 service providers awarded security contracts by the City of Ekurhuleni in August 2020. Despite this, Mkhwanazi later submitted a report claiming that Cat VIP was a contracted municipal service provider

In the same report, Mkhwanazi stated that EMPD and Cat VIP had undertaken “crime combating operations,” during which the company provided surveillance technology, tracking tools, and support in arrests.

Mapiyeye said these activities were unlawful, as private security firms have no legislative powers to track suspects or engage in arrests.