Explosive Madlanga Revelations: Matlala Funded Crime Analyst’s PhD And Linked To Mchunu

The Madlanga Commission has delved deeper into the sprawling network of businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, with fresh revelations painting a picture of close ties to law enforcement officials and media-linked crime analysts.

On Tuesday, the inquiry heard from “Witness X,” whose identity was concealed for safety reasons. Their evidence, initially planned for a private session, was read into record after a compromise between the commission and media houses News24 and Daily Maverick.

Advocate Adila Hassim read Witness X’s detailed statement and presented WhatsApp exchanges confirming Matlala’s relationships with Ekurhuleni Metro Police chief Julius Mkhwanazi and forensic expert Calvin Rafadi.

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Messages showed Mkhwanazi facilitating blue-light registration for Matlala’s vehicle and Rafadi keeping close contact with Matlala while sharing his media features.

“I spoke well of our friend,” Rafadi once boasted in a message after a TV interview. Other exchanges revealed Rafadi regularly asking Matlala for financial help, including R20 000 to support his PhD studies — a payment Matlala agreed to make.

Connections Reaching Minister Senzo Mchunu’s Inner Circle

The commission also heard about Matlala’s dealings with businessman and ANC member Suleiman Carrim, who allegedly had links to people close to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

When Matlala lost a R360 million police health risk management contract earlier this year, he expressed shock that Mchunu had halted it. Carrim reportedly responded that he doubted the minister was directly involved, suggesting a meeting to clarify matters: “I think we should go see him together.”

Matlala replied, “You’ll let me know whenever he is ready.”

Later, Carrim messaged Mchunu on Matlala’s behalf: “Good Morning Minister, I just received a call from our guy… apparently you gave directive to scrutinise his contract and… stall as much as they can…”

Follow-up messages indicate Carrim sent the text and that Mchunu subsequently called — just eight days before Matlala’s arrest.

Ties with Top Hawks Officer and Messages Before Arrest

The commission also reviewed messages between Matlala and Major General Lesetja Senona, the head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal. Their exchanges showed Matlala offering assistance with property purchases for Senona’s son and discussing business arrangements.

Senona had previously informed Matlala about the disbandment of the political killings task team (PKTT). On 13 May, a day before Matlala’s arrest, Senona encouraged him to “take them on brother” after Matlala mentioned plans to report a relationship involving Mchunu and another individual.

Their final exchange came at 8.50am on 14 May — minutes before Matlala’s arrest — when Senona sent Matlala a contact card labelled “Cele.” The commission clarified that Witness X’s statement made no assumptions about the identity of the person referred to as “Cele.”

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