PRETORIA - Before Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala could testify, his lawyer tried to limit what the Commission could ask her client.
Matlala's lawyer, Annelene van Den Heever, requested to file a supplementary statement after his initial evidence before the Commission.
But Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga rejected that approach, saying commissioners would ask clarification questions where necessary.
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By the time Matlala was ready to take the stand, he made it clear there would be areas he would not discuss.
He invoked his right against self-incrimination when asked about the Medicare24 tender, for which he is facing criminal charges.
Matlala said he had been advised that the right was a well-established legal principle that protects accused people in criminal proceedings.
“The exercise of my right to claim privilege against self-incrimination should not be viewed as an obstruction or unwillingness to assist the commission,” he told the inquiry.
But Matlala wasn't silent on all fronts and answered questions about other work involving his companies.
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He denied that any of his companies were awarded contracts by the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department