Alleged crime mastermind and tenderpreneur Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is facing criminal charges in connection with an alleged irregular R228-million health services tender, has invoked his right not to incriminate himself during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
Matlala, is facing charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering in connection with a controversial multimillion-rand health and wellness contract awarded by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.
During his testimony on Monday, Matlala declined to answer several questions citing the pending criminal case.
One of the questions related to allegations that he gifted 20 impalas to suspended Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, which Sibiya has denied.
Matlala did not answer written questions about his relationships with several senior officers, including Sibiya, Divisional Commissioner for Detectives and Forensic Services Hilda Senthumule; Major-General Lesetja Senona, former head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal; suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and KZN SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
He told the commission his dealings with these high-ranking officers would be addressed in a secondary affidavit.
On the alleged impala gifts, Matlala said he was not commenting because of "recordings which I am disputing."
“This will be in my supplementary evidence because I heard there is a recording that speaks about that. I do not want to incriminate myself because I know that the recordings are under investigation,” he said.
He further requested that he not be questioned about his co-accused, all senior police officers, in the Medicare matter currently before the courts.
Matlala, who is currently incarcerated over attempted murder and money-laundering charges, refused to answer questions related to a loan from North West businessman Suleman Carrim to assist with the SAPS contract.
“I am of the view that I may incriminate myself... as I believe it forms part of the Medicare criminal matter which is pending before the court,” he said.
He gave the same reason when asked how a suspended Gauteng Organised Crime Unit officer, Sergeant Fannie Nkosi came into possession of his Luxo Africa bank card. He said Luxo Africa was a co-accused in the Medicare matter and that answering may incriminate him in the case pending in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria.
Nkosi claimed in his testimony that he was a middleman between Sibiya and Matlala.
Matlala did provide some information including that his company CAT VIP previously provided security to the late taxi tycoon Jotham Msibi, saying it was “standard practice in the taxi industry for owners of taxis, especially large fleets, to require close protection services.”
He was also asked about alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi. Matlala testified that Mogotsi contacted him during the SAPS raid on his house in December 2025, claiming he was working closely with Mchunu.
Matlala testified that Mogotsi first asked for R20,000 and later R150,000 for the ANC January 8 statement, which he said was on the advice of former Police Minister Bheki Cele. He also paid ticket flights for some ANC delegates.
When asked of the current state of his relationship with Mogotsi, Matlala said: “No, I don't. I actually hate him. He caused a lot of problems for me.”
Matlala denied any connection to Mchunu, saying he had never met him.
Matlala did not deal with the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department blue lights allegations involving suspended Deputy Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi in his statement, but told the commission he “was supposed to also claim my privilege against self-incrimination” because he is named as a suspect in the matter.
Matlala told the commission he had been charged over the Medicare24 SAPS tender and would not comment further on his relationship with Carrim, except to confirm a funding agreement with a Carrim-linked company.
He cited ongoing financial investigations into the contract and said further comment could lead to self-incrimination.
He also described businessman Hangwani Morgan Maumela as a friend and former business associate who was once a director of CAT VIP Protection.
Matlala declined to comment on his relationship with businessman Mike van Wyk, citing an ongoing court matter. “Mike was CEO of my company Medicare, the same company that had a contract with SAPS, and I do not wish to incriminate myself,” he said.
rapula.moatshe@nationalmg.co.za