“Friend Or Fixer?” What Really Linked KZN Hawks Boss And ‘Cat’ Matlala?

Major-General Lesetja Senona, the head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, has taken centre stage at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he was questioned about his personal relationship with controversial figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Appearing on day 47 of the hearings, Senona described Matlala as someone he regarded as either a friend or a brother, while firmly rejecting allegations that he had any knowledge of Matlala’s alleged criminal activities.

How the KZN Hawks Head Says He Met ‘Cat’ Matlala

During his testimony, Senona explained that his relationship with Matlala developed gradually over time and was rooted in social interaction rather than professional dealings.

“The relationship developed over time and Senona considered Matlala a friend or brother,” he told the commission.

Referring to their communication, Senona said: “As can be seen from the WhatsApp chats, Matlala and I would regularly check in with each other and we would arrange to meet whenever he was in Durban or I was in Pretoria.”

He stressed that their interactions were not linked to his official role. “Our meetings were purely of a social nature.”

Senona also confirmed that his wife knows Matlala and acknowledged that they share the same surname. However, he refused to clarify whether there was any family connection.

“I don’t want to answer that question. It’s not part and parcel of this; I don’t want to. I don’t want to create animosity in my own house by talking about the line of their relatives,” he said, adding:

“This thing of relation, I beg your pardon, I’m begging for your mercy, allow me not to respond now, but if I’m compelled, I will seek legal advice.”

Senona Denies Knowledge of Crimes or Investigations

The KZN Hawks boss was adamant that Matlala has never been under investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) during his tenure.

“I must make it plain to the commission that, since the beginning of my tenure at DPCI KZN, Mr Matlala has never been the subject of an investigation within the directorate,” Senona said.

He further stated that Matlala’s name had never surfaced in senior policing structures.

“Further to that, the name Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala has never been mentioned at the national management forum, national project committee or the provincial project forum.”

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According to Senona, he has no insight into Matlala’s alleged criminal links.

“I therefore possess no knowledge of Mr Matlala’s alleged criminal ties or activities.”

He did, however, admit to occasionally advising Matlala on security-related matters linked to CAT VIP Security.

‘Big Five Cartel’ Claims Rejected as Baseless

Senona’s appearance followed explosive testimony from Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, along with Witness X and Witness C, who accused him of abusing his authority to benefit Matlala.

As a result, the commission issued him with a Rule 3 notice, citing allegations of leaking classified SAPS information and improperly assisting Matlala and associates linked to the so-called “Big Five cartel”.

Senona dismissed the claims outright.

“I deny having leaked any confidential information or using my position as the provincial head for the benefit of Mr Matlala or the Big Five cartel.”

He went on to mock the cartel label, saying: “I don’t even know what this thing called the Big Five cartel is, I only know the Big Five in the country. The Big Five that I know are an elephant, a lion, a buffalo, a rhinoceros and a leopard.”

According to Senona, the only organised crime groups he has confronted in KwaZulu-Natal are drug syndicates, cash-in-transit gangs and those behind drive-by shootings, which he said have been brought under control.

“I can, however, positively affirm that there is no cartel infiltration within the DPCI-KZN,” he told the commission.

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