Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala testifies before Ad Hoc Committee despite unsigned statement

Proceedings at the Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate the allegations made by the South African Police Service (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Head, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, got off to a tense start when Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appeared before the committee.

The committee spent about 15 minutes deciding whether proceedings should go ahead after concerns were raised about using an unsigned statement from Matlala.

Matlala almost did not appear at the committee on Wednesday after his lawyers’ recent request for a postponement.

The request, submitted just a day prior to the scheduled testimony, cited various challenges that have hindered adequate preparation for the hearing, including the complexities surrounding Matlala's current detention.

Matlala’s lawyer, Matlhatsi Abram Madira, had expressed grave concerns regarding the preparation process, highlighting that the time constraints and overwhelming volume of documents to be reviewed made it "virtually impossible" for Matlala to effectively adduce evidence.

Matlala, believed to be connected to fraudulent transactions in the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital '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 politicians and police officials.

Despite the concerns from his lawyer, Matlala appeared, and Advocate Norman Arendse SC explained that while his statement had been unsigned, he had agreed to go ahead with verbal testimony.

“There have been some glitches. We've ironed them out. So we are thankful to him, and his team of lawyers, his attorney, Bronwynne Forbay.

“We do not have a finalised, signed written statement before you. What has been posted in the past short while is an electronic version of a draft statement, which we are hopeful will be signed sometime today or tomorrow, which can go on record before the committee,” Arendse said.

“It is not a precondition to appear before this committee to have a signed formal statement.

“Of course, there may be witnesses who simply refuse to cooperate and do not give any signed statement, but they'll be compelled to appear before here, and what is important is to give their evidence as I expect Mr Matlala to do under oath. He will be sworn in, and he will be held to whatever answers he gives to the questions asked of him…”

Later on, while giving testimony, Matlala raised issues that he didn’t want to incriminate himself when discussing his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District’s contract with the SAPS, to which MPs explained that what he said cannot be used against him outside of the committee hearings.

Arendse then went on to explain that whatever Matlala said before them cannot be used by any outside third party “unless of course you lie, or you said untruths”.

The issue was resolved, with Arendse agreeing to consult with Matlala and his attorney, Forbay, during a later break to formulate a written document assuring him of the specifics surrounding the parliamentary privileges, which have been extended to him.

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za