Madlanga Commission | How Julius Mkhwanazi faked a deal to hand CAT Matlala ‘endless’ business in Ekurhuleni

The Madlanga Commission has heard allegations that suspended EMPD acting chief Brig. Julius Mkhwanazi fabricated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to grant policing powers to a private security company linked to alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “CAT” Matlala.

Former Ekurhuleni human resources head Xolani Nciza told the commission the document was a fraudulent draft, falsely presented as an official agreement between the municipality and Matlala’s firm, CAT VIP.

“There is no memorandum of understanding that existed between the municipality and CAT VIP. What existed was a draft, and a draft is simply that,” Nciza testified

He described the document as “grossly dishonest”, explaining that it had never been approved by the city manager or council but was instead circulated as an official contract to mislead both internal structures and the public.

The fake MOU also claimed the EMPD fell directly under Mkhwanazi’s control — a false structural claim that granted him the space to manipulate processes and favour CAT VIP without oversight.

The commission also heard details of the “blue lights” scandal, where Matlala’s private vehicles were illegally registered under the municipality’s name and fitted with emergency police lights.

“These were private cars disguised as official ones,” Nciza testified.

“If stopped, their drivers could claim to be acting for the EMPD. The risks were obvious.”

He said the forged MOU and the blue-light scheme formed part of a coordinated attempt to legitimise CAT VIP’s operations, giving the company cover to operate as if it were an arm of law enforcement.

Nciza told the commission that internal accountability was deliberately blocked.

He named EMPD HR head Linda Gasheka, who resisted taking action against Mkhwanazi, and former city manager Imogen Mashazi, who allegedly intervened to protect him.

“When I tried to extend Mkhwanazi’s suspension, Mashazi phoned me angrily and said, ‘You think this municipality is yours,’” Nciza said. “It was clear she didn’t want him touched.”

In April 2023, Nciza approved a disciplinary tribunal to probe Mkhwanazi and other EMPD officials for theft, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, and bribery, but the process was halted after IPID warned that pending arrests could disrupt proceedings.

The commission heard how the municipality faced corruption, collusion, and abuse of authority.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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