Matlala denies link to KT Molefe, speaks on Tembisa Hospital scandal
Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is currently in custody, is testifying in the Ad Hoc Committee at the Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre in Tshwane.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Vusimuzi Cat Matlala says he has no relationship with businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe and he would “love to know” why his name has been mentioned in connection with the Tembisa Hospital tender scandal.
He is testifying in the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, involving claims of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the criminal justice system.
Matlala, who is currently in prison as he was refused bail in an attempted murder case, is testifying before the committee at the Kgoši Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria.
At the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, from the SAPS Crime Intelligence unit, had testified that Matlala and Molefe were part of the Big Five cartel that were involved in drug trafficking.
Starting out his evidence, Matlala said he had one previous conviction for possession of stolen property. He received a jail sentence for this case but this was changed to correctional supervision.
Asked about his relationship with Molefe, Matlala said while he knew of him, he did not have a personal relationship with him.
Dealing with the Tembisa Hospital tender matter, Matlala said his companies received requests for quotations from the health department to quote for work.
In a draft statement, which Matlala read out, he said he had not been approached by any law enforcement agency regarding the Tembisa Hospital investigation but he said he believed the police or Investigating Directorate Against Corruption were investigating the matter and therefore he could not comment further.
It has previously been reported that three of the companies that were awarded contracts to the value of R13 538 292 in the Tembisa Hospital matter were linked to Matlala according to an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit.
The SIU’s interim report recently revealed a network of alleged corruption, fraud, and maladministration in procurement processes at Tembisa Hospital, involving three major syndicates.
The Ad Hoc hearing continues.