Alleged OR Tambo Airport Scheme Linked To ‘Cat’ Matlala Raises Serious National Security Concerns

South Africa may have narrowly escaped a significant national security breach following revelations of an alleged plan involving controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and OR Tambo International Airport.

According to an investigative report by News24, the scheme centred on a proposed luxury private terminal that could have enabled selected individuals to bypass standard immigration and security procedures at the country’s busiest airport.

Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks says the plan, had it been implemented, would have concentrated extraordinary influence and financial power in Matlala’s hands.

Investigators flag ‘Cat Matlala’s’ ambitions and advanced planning

“The takeaway for me is that this is a man who had untramelled ambitions about wealth,” Wicks said.

He explained that the proposal progressed well beyond an initial idea. Meetings were reportedly held and documents drafted, detailing how the private terminal would function.

“Our investigation started looking at his state procurement, both at Tembisa Hospital and at the SAPS, both mired by allegations of fraud and corruption,” Wicks added.

It was during this investigation that Matlala’s alleged involvement in the OR Tambo scheme came to light, at a time when he was already behind bars.

‘The Green Lounge’ concept and security implications

Matlala, described as a suspected criminal mastermind, is currently incarcerated at a super maximum security prison in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.

“There were plans afoot to have a very valuable stake at OR Tambo, R70 million a year that he was asking from Nedbank,” Wicks said.

News24 obtained a concept document for what Matlala reportedly called ‘The Green Lounge’, a luxury terminal intended to be built at the airport’s cargo section.

“How it was pitched was this haven of tranquillity, with the best fine dining, bars, smoking rooms, sleep pods, and it would be for Nedbank’s uber wealthy,” Wicks explained.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Interpol Joins Search For Father And 5-Year-Old Taken To DRC Without Mom’s Knowledge

However, he warned that the implications went far beyond luxury travel. According to Wicks, the arrangement would effectively have given Matlala influence over who entered and exited South Africa.

“The trappings of wealth that he was pushing at Nedbank were really at the surface; the implications of this were that Cat Matlala’s agents would have been responsible for security screening at that airport.”

The pitch document further suggested that clients would be able to make use of a so-called ‘fast track’ customs process.

“That tells you that it was more than a lounge; it was actually a terminal,” Wicks said.

This proximity to core security operations at a national key point is what raises the most concern, particularly in light of Matlala’s alleged links to drug cartels.

The revelations add to a growing list of controversies surrounding Matlala, who is currently facing charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky