Cat Matlala To Testify Despite Prison Health Crisis And Last-Minute Postponement Bid

Controversial businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala is expected to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, despite an urgent attempt by his legal team to postpone his testimony.

His lawyer, Matlhatsi Abram Madira, filed a last-minute request citing Matlala’s deteriorating health, confusion, and severe obstacles to preparing from within prison.

Madira said the team struggled to review a large volume of critical documents, arguing that the situation had made it “virtually impossible” for Matlala to properly present evidence.

“Our legal team have raised concerns regarding the adequate time which they needed to prepare our client for these proceedings… consulting with Mr Matlala has become an absolute nightmare in prison,” Madira wrote.

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He further complained about conditions at C Max Prison, saying the facility’s poor network reception and lack of proper consultation spaces had made preparation “unproductive and unworkable.”

“The detention of Mr Matlala in the C Max Prison has negatively affected our client’s health and mental capacity… during our consultation with Mr Matlala yesterday, we could pick up that he no longer comprehends some of the issues and seemed disorientated,” he added.

These issues, he noted, had been previously raised during Matlala’s bail attempts.

Committee Pushes Ahead With Testimony at Kgosi Mampuru II

Despite the concerns, Ad Hoc Committee chair Soviet Lekganyane confirmed that proceedings will continue as scheduled. To accommodate Matlala’s incarceration, the meeting will take place at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre.

“We are here this week to feature Matlala in our proceedings, together with his representatives,” Lekganyane said.

The committee is probing serious allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, including claims of criminal infiltration within SAPS, political interference, and corruption networks operating throughout the justice system.

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo assured that the department has made extensive preparations to ensure a secure and workable environment for the hearings.

“Even with this sitting of the Ad Hoc Committee, we have gone to great lengths to ensure that we give Parliament the best sitting—very comfortable—and they may even want to extend their time here,” Nxumalo commented.

Cat Matlala Linked to Tembisa Hospital ‘Looting’ and Attempted Murder Case

Matlala remains a central—and highly contentious—figure in ongoing corruption investigations. He has been tied to alleged fraudulent transactions connected to the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital “looting,” a scandal linked to criminal syndicates reportedly benefiting from SAPS tenders.

He was arrested in April for allegedly orchestrating the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane, and was denied bail.

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Authorities believe Matlala holds key information regarding how police tenders were manipulated to enrich syndicates with political and high-ranking police backing.

As the committee prepares to hear from three crucial witnesses in Gauteng, Matlala’s testimony is expected to play a major role in unpacking the depth of alleged criminal networks within the justice and policing environment.

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