Cat Matlala
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard that kidnapping suspect Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala made startling claims and name-dropped several high-ranking police officials during an interview with investigators.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard that kidnapping suspect Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala made startling claims and name-dropped several high-ranking police officials during an interview with investigators.
Witness C, a member of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and a certified forensic investigator, took the commission through details of the encounter, which took place on 6 December 2024 when police raided Matlala’s Pretoria home while searching for abducted businessman Jerry Boshoga.
“During the interview, Mr Matlala started making startling utterances and name-dropping senior police officials. I am of the opinion that he did that to intimidate us to make it clear that he was connected to high-ranking SAPS officials,” Witness C said.
Matlala allegedly told investigators that he had close ties with several senior police officers, including deputy national commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, SAPS crime intelligence head Lt-Gen Feroz Khan, Gauteng crime investigation services head Maj-Gen Richard Shibiri, and KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Maj-Gen Lesetja Senona. He allegedly shared their cellphone numbers with the officers.
Witness C said Matlala further claimed that Gen Sibiya and Gen Senona had helped him secure a R1.2 billion SAPS tender for three years. “He said Gen Khan regularly used his penthouse at Menlyn Maine in Pretoria, but when we asked him why Khan would use it, he said he did not know the reason,” Witness C told the commission.
Matlala also claimed he knew police were coming to his house that day and showed investigators cellphone messages between himself and Detective Sgt FE Nkosi, who works at SAPS national head office under the office of the deputy national commissioner. “
Matlala alleged to have been tipped off through two calls, one advising that the team was having a briefing and another about the team’s departure to come to his house.
Investigators verified Nkosi’s cellphone number on Matlala’s phone, where they also found a screenshot showing Nkosi’s ABSA account details and a SAPS system enquiry reflecting Nkosi’s personnel number. “Further profiling confirmed that Nkosi is attached to the office of Gen Sibiya,” Witness C said.
According to the witness, Matlala described Nkosi as his link to Sibiya. “In most cases, he would transfer money to Nkosi for personal use, and for the general, he would summon Nkosi to collect money packages meant for Sibiya,” Witness C said.
Matlala also mentioned an IT specialist friend, expert Calvin Rafadi, who he claimed had assisted him with technology-related needs. “He said he paid Rafadi’s institution fees in exchange for IT assistance whenever needed,” the witness added.
Witness C said Matlala further indicated that he had been in constant communication with the suspended minister of police, Senzo Mchunu, and was due to meet him later that night through a third party. Investigators later identified the intermediary as North West businessman Brown Mogotsi through cellphone analysis.
While Matlala did not disclose how Sibiya and Senona allegedly assisted him in securing the SAPS tender, he reportedly said, “After every payment by SAPS, a portion of the payment goes to Gen Sibiya.”
Witness C told the commission he could not determine why Matlala shared the names of senior officials. “Even now, one doesn’t have a straight answer to that,” he said.
