'Cat' Matlala claims he's not ready to testify before Ad Hoc Committee as lawyers seek postponement

In an unprecedent move, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, a businessman embroiled in controversy, has formally requested a postponement of his scheduled meeting with Members of Parliament (MPs).

The meeting is expected to take place at Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre in Tshwane where Matlala is incarcerated.

On Tuesday, through his lawyers, Matlala notified the committee that he was not "prepared".

ActionSA MP, Dereleen James, wrote on her X that Matlala's excuse was unacceptable.

"This is a textbook Stalingrad tactic to frustrate our work. Whether Matlala likes it or not, he has had ample time to prepare! No WhatsApp threat from Matlala's lawyers demanding a 3pm response by Parliament to their demands will deter us from doing our job," she wrote.

Matlala is expected to give a testify before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, involving claims of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the justice system.

The committee, established to investigate the allegations made by Mkhwanazi, is scheduled to hear evidence from three key witnesses in Gauteng this week.

The hearings will take place at the Kgoši Mampuru after a resolution by the committee, intended to ensure the safety and security of all parties involved in the investigation.

On Tuesday, Correctional Services national spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said meticulous planning had gone into preparations for the committee’s sittings at the maximum-security facility.

“Remember, our mandate is to have facilities that are safe and secure, and to rehabilitate inmates in humane conditions. But we go even beyond that. When we host events, all of them have been incident-free. At no point will you find that our activities are disrupted due to poor planning," Nxumalo said in an interview with television broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.

“We are very meticulous. Even with this sitting of the Ad Hoc Committee, we have gone to great lengths to ensure that we give Parliament the best sitting — very comfortable — and they may even want to extend their time here.”

Nxumalo said MPs will be at the facility until Friday, and that limited space has been made available for members of the public who wish to attend the hearings.

“I can say that he is safely secured inside this facility. Whenever he is due to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee, he will be moved from his cell and taken straight to the venue. There is even a route that I cannot disclose publicly. The details include what happens during short breaks, what happens to him — I cannot disclose that — and also what he gets to consume inside that hall.

“I can assure everyone that the remandee in question will be safe. He will testify before the Ad Hoc Committee. Whenever he is done, he will be taken back to his cell.”

The committee previously heard from Section Manager: Information and Security Risk Management, Rudzani Mpilo, who explained that after visiting Kgoši Mampuru, they assessed that the facility has adequate space and equipment to host the committee.

“From a distance, from security’s point of view, they have adequate facilities that can host these sessions. There is a follow-up meeting arranged with them, and should we be advised by the committee that we should continue engaging (with them), they can further take us through with our technical unit,” Mpilo said.

Matlala, believed to be connected to fraudulent transactions in the Tembisa Hospital R2 billion 'looting', was arrested in April, for allegedly orchestrating the 2023 attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane and is currently in custody after being denied bail.

He is also believed to be at the forefront of the SAPS tenders allegedly manipulated to benefit criminal syndicates purportedly protected by senior political and police officials.

*This is a developing story.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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