Cat Matlala To File Secret Affidavit Over Alleged Mkhwanazi Threat At Madlanga Commission

Corruption-accused businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala is preparing to submit a supplementary affidavit to the Madlanga Commission to address allegations he has declined to discuss publicly, including claims about an alleged threat by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The allegations relate to a meeting between the two men before Matlala's arrest on 14 May 2025, when he was charged with the attempted murder of Tebogo Thobejane. Matlala raised the claims in a witness statement linked to his plea deal with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac).

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Cat Matlala Claims Shadrack Sibiya Threatened His Family Over Commission Testimony

During proceedings on Wednesday, Matlala refused to elaborate on the allegations, citing security concerns. His legal team has requested permission to file an affidavit dealing with the issues he could not address during his public testimony.

Cat Matlala Makes ‘I Will Take Him Out’ Allegation Against Mkhwanazi

In his witness statement, Matlala described an alleged conversation in which Mkhwanazi spoke about a private discussion with Police Minister General Fannie Masemola following a police summit at Emperors Palace.

According to the statement, Masemola allegedly suspected that Matlala intended to have him killed to create an opportunity for former deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya to become national police commissioner.

“Mkhwanazi also said they had a police summit at Emperors Palace and he had a private conversation with [police minister Gen Fannie] Masemola, who told him he suspects I intended to kill him [Masemola] so [Lt-Gen Shadrack] Sibiya could be appointed as national commissioner,” Matlala’s witness statement reads.

Matlala further claimed that Mkhwanazi offered to act against him if instructed by the police minister.

“He [Mkhwanazi] said he told Masemola, ‘just say the word and I will take him out’, meaning he would take me out. Mkhwanazi also said that day, he called the commander of the special task force and arranged for an armoured vehicle to be made available to Masemola.”

When questioned about paragraph 118 of his statement, Matlala asked the commission not to pursue the matter publicly.

“Can we please treat the entire [paragraph] 118 as a security risk,” Matlala said.

Mkhwanazi Accuses Idac Investigators Of Targeting Senior Police Officials

The allegations surfaced as Mkhwanazi gave evidence about the circumstances surrounding the statement obtained from Matlala by Idac investigators.

Mkhwanazi alleged that investigators told him they were targeting him, Masemola and crime intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo. He claimed they wanted Matlala to provide information that could help them build a case against the three senior police officials.

“Their main target was Gen Mkhwanazi; they wanted to strip his support base, Gen Masemola, and deal with him directly,” Mkhwanazi said.

The KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner is expected to return to the commission to respond to allegations raised against him following his initial appearance. The inquiry is investigating claims of criminal infiltration into law enforcement agencies.

Matlala's meeting with Mkhwanazi was reportedly arranged by former police minister Bheki Cele. Matlala said he wanted the meeting because he needed assistance with purchase orders connected to his R228-million health tender with the police.

Masemola cancelled the contract in 2025 following allegations of corruption.

Cat Matlala's Affidavit To Address Shadrack Sibiya And R500,000 Claim

The supplementary affidavit is also expected to deal with allegations involving Sibiya and an affidavit he submitted to the Pretoria High Court concerning the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team.

Matlala was reluctant to answer questions about Sibiya during cross-examination. However, he confirmed that Sibiya had allegedly made threatening telephone calls to his wife, warning her against Matlala disclosing information during his appearance before Parliament's ad hoc committee.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Cat Matlala Claims IDAC Fabricated Allegations Against Fannie Masemola

Another disputed issue concerns an alleged R500,000 payment to Sibiya. Matlala's witness statement indicated that he had paid the former deputy national commissioner the money, but he denied making that claim when questioned before the commission.

Matlala has also accused Idac chief investigator Dylan Perumal, who allegedly typed the witness statement, of including information that he was not aware of. Senior Idac investigators Suneel Bellochun and Brian Padayachee were also involved in the process.

The proposed affidavit could provide further information about the issues Matlala has declined to discuss in open proceedings. The commission's examination of the allegations involving senior police officials and the handling of Matlala's statement is continuing.