JOHANNESBURG - Long before his name dominated headlines, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala had built a reputation as a businessman.
Today, however, his name is at the centre of one of South Africa’s most far-reaching commissions of inquiry.
The key questions are no longer only how he built relationships with senior officials, but how far those alleged connections extended into the country’s criminal justice system.
Witness after witness took the hot seat at the Madlanga Commission, painting a grim picture of a criminal justice system that has allegedly been infiltrated by cartels. Incidents range from mishandled drug bust operations to municipalities rife with corruption.
As the hearings unfolded, one name has surfaced repeatedly: Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The businessman
Matlala first made his mark in the private security industry before expanding into healthcare in 2018 with the help of Mike van Wyk, founder of Medicare24 Holdings.
It was a ‘business opportunity’ to expand Medicare24 into townships that brought the pair together.
READ | Cat Matlala dodges questions on multimillion rand tender, citing risk of incrimination
Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, was awarded the controversial R228-million SAPS health services tender in 2024, having beaten 21 competing bidders.
The tender drew attention due to allegations of corruption and irregularities.
Before it was cancelled, Matlala had already received R50-million.
Evidence has suggested the company lacked the facilities, equipment and personnel required to fulfil the contract, raising questions about how it passed the evaluation process.
This is a question that brought to the fore the people involved with Matlala and the extent to which his influence reached government entities.
Alleged police links
The Commission has heard evidence of alleged links between Matlala and several police officials, some at a senior level.
Among them is suspended SAPS organised crime unit officer Sergeant Fannie Nkosi and suspended Major General Richard Shibiri.
Shibiri admitted to accepting a loan of R80,000 from Matlala, saying the money was needed to repair his son’s vehicle.
READ | 'It was a loan' - Shibiri on being gifted R80 000 by 'Cat' Matlala
Shibiri insisted that his relationship with Matlala was never intended to compromise the integrity of the SAPS.
Another key witness was SAPS Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who previously had a personal relationship with Matlala.
Matjeng is among 13 senior police officers facing charges linked to the awarding of the SAPS healthcare tender.
She conceded that when the allegations against Matlala surfaced and up to the date of his arrest, she did become aware of his alleged crimes.
READ | Who’s in the dock: Top cops involved in Matlala’s alleged tender fraud
Next in line was Major-General Lesetja Senona, who was accused of leaking sensitive and classified SAPS information to Matlala and of benefiting from him and individuals allegedly linked to the so-called Big Five cartel.
The cartel, which has now been revealed as an organised crime syndicate based in Gauteng and is allegedly linked to large-scale corruption, has allegedly infiltrated the SAPS and the political sphere.
Senona denied the allegations.
READ | Senona accuses Madlanga Commission of 'unfair treatment'
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s name has also surfaced during the inquiry.
He is facing charges under Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act relating to his responsibilities as an accounting officer in connection with the SAPS healthcare tender.
The so-called Big Five cartel
Some of the commission’s most explosive testimony came from Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, who described the alleged operations of Gauteng’s so-called Big Five criminal cartel.
According to Khumalo, its main commodity is allegedly drugs, with the cartel also dealing in cross-border vehicle hijacking, kidnappings, tender fraud and extortion.
Matlala featured as one of the main players within the alleged cartel, something that features greatly in Senona’s testimony.
READ | Madlanga Commission | Khumalo blows lid off Gauteng's 'Big Five' criminal cartel
It is important to note that Matlala has not been convicted of these allegations.
The commission has heard evidence that includes WhatsApp messages wherein cocaine appeared to be weighed.
One message attributed to Matlala read: “Get me a good price.”
Van Wyk remains a key figure because his testimony provides insight into Matlala’s network and his alleged links to suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi.
That evidence relates to the so-called blue-light scandal, where his cars were fitted with unauthorised blue lights. Such lights are meant to be reserved for official security vehicles.
Political links
Matlala’s alleged links don't end with law enforcement and metro officials. Allegations have also linked him to politicians.
At the Commission, Khumalo presented text exchanges allegedly between Matlala and Brown Mogotsi, who has been described during the inquiry as a political fixer.
The messages, extensive and detailed, touched on official matters with Khumalo revealing that Mogotsi allegedly pressured Matlala to bankroll political memberships in two regions.
The alleged links continue, with suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and former Police Minister Bheki Cele’s names also surfacing.
READ | Chaskalson denies Mogotsi's claims of unfair questioning
But as witness after witness takes the stand, one constant remains: Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala’s name continues to feature prominently in testimony.