Cat Matlala forced to testify before parliament after last-minute delay attempt

Controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is testifying before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating claims of organised crime infiltration, corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.

The hearing will be held inside Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre on Wednesday, where Matlala is currently detained.

His appearance follows a last-minute bid by his legal team to secure a postponement on the grounds that he was unprepared and suffering health and mental strain due to detention. The committee rejected the request and reaffirmed that Matlala will testify as scheduled.

Matlala has been linked to a string of serious allegations, among them the massive fraud connected to Tembisa Hospital, manipulation of large police tenders, and claims that he financially influenced top police and political office-holders.

The committee’s decision to press ahead despite the defence’s objections underlines the high stakes of the enquiry, which seeks clarity on whether the alleged syndicate — sometimes dubbed “The Big Five” — effectively infiltrated state security structures and used contracts and influence to facilitate illegal activity.