KZN Hawks Boss Says WhatsApps With ‘Cat’ Matlala Were Tampered With

KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona has claimed that WhatsApp conversations between himself and controversial tenderpreneur and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala were tampered with.

Senona returned to the witness stand on Wednesday for his second day of testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating allegations of corruption, political interference and criminal conduct within South Africa’s criminal justice system. His appearance follows earlier testimony in which he described his relationship with Matlala as “brotherly”.

Hawks Head Quizzed on Meetings and WhatsApp Exchanges With Matlala

During questioning, evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim focused on documents Matlala sent to Senona during a meeting held on 13 April 2025 at the Menlyn Maine hotel in Pretoria.

Senona confirmed that Matlala sent him a document linked to the Senzo and Tembeka Mchunu Foundation but insisted he neither opened nor read it.

“I didn’t read it because we were talking,” Senona told the commission, adding that he was unaware of the document’s contents.

When asked whether the document was discussed, Senona said the conversation remained general.

“It’s personal things that I don’t want to disclose here.”

Hassim pointed out that the meeting took place after Senona had claimed he decided to distance himself from Matlala following a news article published on 5 March 2025. However, commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga noted that the WhatsApp exchanges showed continued warmth between the two.

“It shows that you were still very friendly towards him,” Madlanga said.

Senona responded that he intended to end the relationship gradually.

“As people, we differ how we deal with things. My fault is not to terminate it with immediate effect.”

Commissioner Sesi Baloyi added that much of the communication appeared to have been initiated by Senona himself.

“No comment,” Senona replied.

Confidential Ramaphosa Document Raises Alarm

Hassim further revealed that Matlala later sent Senona another document, which appeared to contain confidential information related to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“This is a document marked strictly confidential at the top and it says confidential information containing the identity of the president,” Hassim said.

Senona again denied opening the document or knowing why it was sent to him. He told the commission that had he read it, he would have taken immediate action.

“It is unusual that a private person can have these documents. I didn’t open them,” he said.

“I didn’t know what was inside, but if I knew commissioners, definitely I would have written an information note to my supervisor informing him about what I’ve just discovered.”

He added that the contents were never discussed during or after the meeting.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Robert McBride Backs Sibiya’s Credibility, Questions Integrity Of Mkhwanazi, Phahlane And Nkabinde

Madlanga expressed clear scepticism. “So you are sitting there, you are at a meeting, you are discussing whatever it is you are discussing, so he silently just sends you these documents, these three documents, and he’s completely mum about them?” he asked.

Senona maintained his version, prompting Madlanga to respond: “That’s totally, totally improbable.”

“You are saying that because this is staring you in the eye and you cannot say ‘I did read this and did nothing about it’.”

‘Disingenuous’ Claims and Allegations of Tampering

Hassim also questioned why Senona failed to mention the documents in his affidavit to the commission dated 22 January 2026.

Senona claimed he only received the WhatsApp records after submitting his statement. Hassim rejected this explanation.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Robert McBride Backs Sibiya’s Credibility, Questions Integrity Of Mkhwanazi, Phahlane And Nkabinde

“This is disingenuous,” she said.

Senona countered by stating that while he received electronic versions of the documents last year, he never obtained hard copies.

He then went a step further, alleging that one of the documents had been altered.

“This thing, the way it is, it leaves a lot to be desired for,” Senona said.

“I suspect it has been fiddled with, this document.”

Madlanga questioned why the claim of tampering was only raised during intense cross-examination.

“You have not raised it in your statement and at no point, have you raised that. Why is that so?”

Senona replied that he believed the commission hearing was the appropriate forum to raise the concern. Hassim, however, pointed out that Madlanga had ruled in November that Senona was already in possession of all relevant documents.

---

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