Witness C: Matlala 'secretly' paid R500k for Mchunu’s presidential campaign | Madlanda Commission
Witness C told the Madlanga Commission that underworld businessman, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, funded the presidential campaign of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela/IOL News
Witness C said criminal tycoon, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, secretly funded suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s presidential ambitions through ANC events, pouring hundreds of thousands of rands into the campaign of the man once tipped to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Witness C, told the Madlanga Commission on Thursday that Matlala admitted to paying about R500,000 toward Mchunu’s campaign.
The money allegedly covered flights, accommodation, and logistics for ANC’s January 8 celebrations in Cape Town.
“Matlala said Mchunu had presidential ambitions,” Witness C revealed.“He didn’t believe Mchunu would win, but he was afraid to discourage him.”
The witness alleged that after police raided Matlala’s Pretoria home on December 6, 2024, Mchunu used his connections to interfere in the investigation.
Police were reportedly searching for kidnapped businessman Jerry Boshoga at the time.
Witness C said Mchunu “engaged security operatives” to identify officers involved in the raid using grabber surveillance devices.
Information peddler and businessman, Brown Mogotsi, allegedly provided Matlala with registration details of the police vehicles, revealing the team was led by Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen. Dumisani Khumalo.
Soon after, Mogotsi and Mchunu allegedly advised Matlala to open a theft case at Brooklyn police station, claiming a Rolex, a firearm, and other valuables had been stolen during the raid.
The case was later withdrawn.Witness C further claimed Matlala revealed his links to Mchunu and suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, saying he had been “used” to target Khumalo.
WhatsApp chats allegedly show Matlala communicating with both Mchunu and Mogotsi about the fallout and possible legal action.
Adding weight to the allegations, Khumalo himself testified a month ago that Matlala had funded Mchunu’s delegates to attend ANC events and paid large sums to Mogotsi, who “worked underground” to leak police intelligence and sabotage investigations.
According to Khumalo, those leaks helped Matlala secure a R360 million state contract.
Investigators recovered WhatsApp messages from Matlala’s phone showing instructions from Mogotsi for payments, flight bookings, and cash transfers — including one of R38,000 to Gotlhe Specialists.
Mchunu has denied the allegations against him, saying he never met Matlala.
The ANC said it would comment only after receiving formal reports from the commission.
The commission continues to hear testimony from the witness.
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