Ekurhuleni officials accused of blocking action against EMPD Chief in Vusimusi 'Cat' Matlala blue light scandal
Former Head of Employee Relations at the Ekurhuleni Municipality, Xolani Nciza, has accused senior officials of covering up a scandal involving the transfer of blue-light vehicles related to the EMPD Chief.
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The City of Ekurhuleni faces fresh allegations of institutional cover-up following claims that senior municipal officials refused to take disciplinary action against Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Acting Chief Julius Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi is accused of facilitating the illegal transfer of city-owned vehicles equipped with blue lights to private businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala who is under arrest and facing a slew of charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and fraud.
Xolani Nciza, the Former Head of Employee Relations at the Ekurhuleni municipality and the official who oversaw the internal investigation into the matter, spoke to eNCA on Tuesday about how efforts to hold Mkhwanazi accountable were systematically undermined.
“In February 2023, we initiated an internal investigation following media reports concerning blue light irregularities.
“The inquiry revealed clear malfeasance linked to an alleged donation from CAT VIP Services, Matlala’s security company - that never actually took place,” Nciza explained.
He added, “There was no handover of the vehicles to the municipality and no formal process to add them to the municipal asset register. A forged donation letter was used to justify registering these vehicles as police assets.”
The vehicles in question include a BMW X5, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, a BMW 3-Series, and a VW Golf, all registered under Matlala’s private security company instead of the municipality.
Nciza detailed how the municipality intended to suspend Mkhwanazi and prepare criminal charges, but was blocked from proceeding.
“When we were ready to serve charges, senior officials intervened. The powers-that-be said no. The city manager was involved, and instructions were given to the head of Human Resources to halt the charges."
When asked for a comment, EMPD Spokesperson Thabiso Makgato stated that inquiries should be directed to the city.
On Tuesday, IOL published excerpts from a confidential investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), dated August 2023, underscoring the scandal's gravity.
The report alleges a coordinated scheme between Matlala and Mkhwanazi to transfer city-owned vehicles to Matlala’s private company fraudulently.
IPID confirmed its own investigations found “wrongful behaviour” and that vehicles originally registered to the City of Ekurhuleni mysteriously transferred ownership to CAT VIP on the National Traffic Information System (Enatis) by March 2023, mere months after the municipality officially registered them.
Nciza highlighted the dangers of such misappropriations, indicating that Blue lights are not for private use.
“Allowing a private company to drive vehicles with blue lights is extremely dangerous—it misleads the public and puts civilians at risk.”
He added that despite an external lawyer appointed by the municipality initially finding sufficient grounds to prosecute, the internal legal department opposed moving forward, citing insufficient evidence.
“It became clear that political and managerial interference blocked justice,” Nciza said.
Phakamile Mbengashe, spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni, acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations.
“The municipality is investigating these claims through internal processes and cooperating fully with relevant authorities.”
However, he said the city would refrain from commenting further until the Madlanga Commission completes its inquiry.
“Once the Commission’s processes conclude, we will provide a fuller public update,” Mbengashe stated.
According to IPID, the City of Ekurhuleni incurred registration and licensing costs of R2,218 for the disputed vehicles-expenditures now deemed unjustified as the cars never entered municipal custody.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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