Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has drawn a firm line between himself and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, telling the Madlanga Commission that he does not know the minister, has never met him and has never interacted with him.
“I do not have any relationship with Minister Senzo Mchunu. I have never met Mchunu and have had no interactions with him, nor have I been at any gatherings where he was present,” Matlala told the commission on Monday.
The explosive denial came as Matlala finally took the witness stand at the commission in Pretoria, where he is being led in evidence by Advocate Mahlape Sello.
Sello went straight for one of the biggest questions surrounding Matlala’s alleged political connections.
She asked whether he had ever offered Mchunu a gift, sponsorship or any other benefit, either directly or indirectly.
Matlala’s answer was clear.
“No, I’ve never, yes,” he replied.
The exchange comes against a backdrop of previous evidence alleging that Matlala had links to Mchunu through political fixer Brown Mogotsi.
The commission has previously heard allegations that Matlala donated money linked to political activities in exchange for political protection and assistance with state contracts. Mchunu has been investigated over his alleged links to Matlala, although neither Mchunu nor Matlala has been found guilty of wrongdoing arising from the commission proceedings.
TENSE START TO THE MORNING
Matlala’s appearance did not get off to a straightforward start.
Before he could properly get into the substance of his evidence, his legal team had raised concerns about the extent to which he could testify while facing criminal charges.
His lawyer, Advocate Annalene van den Heever, had previously argued that Matlala’s pending criminal case meant he needed to be careful about giving evidence that could prejudice his rights.
She told the commission that Matlala was prepared to cooperate, but needed sufficient time to prepare evidence that was “truthful, accurate and supported by verified facts”.
The commission’s chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was not persuaded.
“Your argument is not relevant to this matter,” Madlanga said when the issue was previously argued.
The dispute set the tone for a day in which Matlala has repeatedly been forced to choose his words carefully.
That was particularly evident when he was questioned about the controversial Medicare24 SAPS healthcare tender.
Matlala invoked his right against self-incrimination when questioned about the contract, which has become one of the central issues surrounding his business dealings with the police.
MATLALA: ‘I CANNOT PROVIDE DETAILS’
The commission also turned its attention to other senior police officials.
Matlala was questioned about KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, Major-General Feroz Khan, suspended KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona and senior organised crime officer Robert Shibiri.
On Mkhwanazi, Matlala admitted that he had met him once.
But he insisted there was no relationship between them.
When pressed for details about the meeting, Matlala refused to go further.
“I’m saying I cannot provide any details because my meeting with General Mkhwanazi has to do with the tender that I had with SAPS. Which now I’m attending court, and I’m charged in that matter,” he said.
That answer illustrates the difficult territory facing the commission.
Matlala is being questioned about matters that overlap with criminal proceedings against him, while the commission is racing to establish what happened inside the police service and how private business interests allegedly gained access to senior officials.
‘I DELIBERATELY LEFT SOME NAMES OUT’
Perhaps one of the more intriguing moments came when Matlala was asked about omissions from his supplementary statement.
He admitted that some names had deliberately been left out.
“There are some reasons I did that deliberately, because I have reasons why I did not include them,” Matlala said.
That statement is likely to attract further attention as Sello continues questioning him.
The commission has already heard allegations that Matlala cultivated relationships with senior police officers through money, gifts and other benefits.
Among the officials previously mentioned are Major-General Richard Shibiri, who acknowledged receiving an R80,000 loan from Matlala, and Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who acknowledged receiving expensive gifts while she was involved in the evaluation of the disputed SAPS healthcare tender.
Other allegations before the commission concern claims that senior police officials leaked information or intervened in matters involving Matlala.
These allegations remain allegations and have not been tested or proven in court.
THE MCHUNU QUESTION IS FAR FROM OVER
Matlala’s denial that he knows Mchunu now sits directly alongside the evidence already placed before the commission.
His position is unequivocal.
He says he has never met the minister, never communicated with him and never offered him a gift, sponsorship or benefit.
But Sello is likely to test that version against the documentary evidence and testimony already presented to the commission.
For now, Matlala has placed his answer firmly on record.
“I do not have any relationship with Minister Senzo Mchunu.”
And the commission is not finished asking questions.
Matlala is expected to continue giving evidence as the inquiry digs deeper into his alleged relationships with politicians, police officials and the controversial SAPS healthcare tender.
About the Author
