Cat Matlala
1Min
South Africa
Nov 10, 2025
Retired EMPD deputy commissioner Revo Spies told the Madlanga Commission that agreements between EMPD and businessman Cat Matlala’s companies were unlawful, lacked legal approval, and granted private firms powers like red and blue lights. He said the MOUs were fundamentally flawed and bypassed proper municipal processes.
Retired Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy commissioner Revo Spies has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that the agreements entered into between the EMPD and two companies owned by businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala were unlawful, irregular and lacked any proper legal or municipal approval.
Testifying on Monday, Spies said the memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signed in 2021 by then acting EMPD chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi granted Matlala’s companies, Medicare24 and CAT VIP Security, privileges in exchange for donations of vehicles and other resources to the City of Ekurhuleni.
Spies said the agreements were “fundamentally flawed” and could never have passed a proper legal review.
“This will never pass a proper legal department or thorough scrutiny,” Spies told the commission. It’s completely wrong everything in here, the wording, the intention. It’s as if it was drafted by children and expected adults to fix it.”
The agreements allegedly allowed Medicare24 to use red lights on its vehicles and CAT VIP to use blue lights, effectively granting private companies powers reserved for emergency and law enforcement agencies.
Spies said Mkhwanazi, as acting chief at the time, had no authority to sign the MOUs, making him personally accountable for the irregular deals.
He said the documents were not approved by the City’s legal or supply chain departments and bypassed the required process for accepting donations or partnerships. According to municipal policy, such arrangements must be vetted by the City Manager and declared to the Auditor-General, something which did not occur in this case.
Spies further told the commission that one of the signatures on the MOUs allegedly belonging to a senior EMPD official appeared to have been forged to legitimise the documents.
He said the agreements blurred the line between public law enforcement and private security interests and created a serious conflict of interest. Further, he said the arrangement effectively made it appear as if EMPD was required to report crimes to Matlala’s private companies rather than the other way around.
Spies also revealed that CAT VIP Security had been involved in a high-risk police operation at OR Tambo International Airport, assisting the Hawks Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) and the Special Task Force in a takedown. He said this demonstrated the extent of Matlala’s reach within law enforcement structures.
