PRETORIA - Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s appearance before the Madlanga Commission has been postponed to 1 September.
The commission ordered Matlala to file his statement no later than 29 July.
Matlala’s legal team requested the postponement, arguing that he could not testify at this stage because his rejected plea agreement contained confidential information.
His lawyers also argued that testifying before the commission could prejudice his constitutional right to challenge the state’s evidence in the criminal case linked to the R228-million SAPS tender, which is due to begin on Monday.
His lawyer, Adv Annelene van den Heever, argued that the defence had not yet received all the documents from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), making it difficult to advise her client properly.
She also raised concerns that Matlala could prejudice his criminal case by incriminating himself if he testified before reviewing the material. Van den Heever said she was not involved in negotiating the plea agreement and therefore needed time to understand what had transpired.
The commission granted the defence’s request for two weeks to file a signed affidavit and supporting submissions.
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“During a plea deal, there are other negotiations that happen between investigators,” Van den Heever told the commission.
“I need to know what was discussed in the pre-negotiations,” she said.
They further requested additional time to consult with Matlala and properly prepare him for his testimony before the commission.
Commission Chairperson Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga granted the postponement and directed that Matlala’s statement be filed by 29 July, ahead of his scheduled appearance on 1 September.