Alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi Cat Matlala also bankrolled metro police boss

SUSPENDED Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi has refused to take responsibility for fitting blue lights on vehicles linked to alleged underworld kingpin and tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala's companies.

During cross-examination at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, Mkhwanazi was pressed about his involvement in registering vehicles and installing blue lights, with commission counsel suggesting he “facilitated” the process.

However, Mkhwanazi constantly objected to the use of "facilitation" in reference to the role he played to source vehicle donations from Matlala.

"I can't agree to leave my kids and go to jail for something I didn't do. I didn't put blue lights. I want to be honest and impress you but not with lies," he said.

Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyisile Madlanga intervened, reminding Mkhwanazi that nobody had mentioned jail.

Mkhwanazi replied: "This is a commission of inquiry. You will be making recommendations. I will be sitting somewhere and I will not see you with that. I will see you after 10 or 50 years."

Co-commissioner Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC said: "To be fair to you, I don't think anyone is suggesting that you physically installed the blue lights."

Mkhwanazi allegedly signed two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with companies’ companies Medicare24 and CAT VIP Security, allowing private vehicles to be registered as municipal vehicles and fitted with blue lights.

The commission was told that the municipality had no formal agreement with the companies, raising questions about Mkhwanazi's authority to establish these relationships. 

Mkhwanazi described Matlala as a “blood brother” to him, saying they had often met, lunched, and dined together.

Asked if he had ever received money from Matlala he said: “Sometimes he would give me money for petrol. Sometimes he would even borrow money from me…We were beginning to be that close, talking every day and meeting.” 

He said he would discuss many things with Matlala, but avoided talking about politics due to Matlala's aversion to the topic.

“In fact, I treated him as a brother and that’s why I was so shocked (when he faced challenges and he didn’t tell me),” he said, adding that Matlala would provide him with grocery money when he faced financial difficulties during his suspensions. 

Matlala assisted him with various payments, including R20,000 for a funeral and additional amounts of R20,000 and R30,000 paid through Matlala's companies. 

Evidence leader Advocate Sello Mehlape SC said: “I would argue before the commissioners that those payments were made in gratification for your efforts in facilitating the registration of vehicles to enable Mr Matlala to fit them with blue lights.”

Mkhwanazi insisted the payments were not "gratification", but Matlala wanted him to retire and start his own venture, and had even promised more substantial support.

Former Ekhurhuleni city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi recently testified that it was irregular for a department to enter into a memorandum, stating Mkhwanazi exceeded his authority. 

Mkhwanazi's testimony will continue next year on a date to be determined by the commission.

Cape Times