Explosive Madlanga Commission testimony links top cops to 'Cat' Matlala, payments to Sibiya

A forensic investigator on Friday revealed to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya received payments from controversial attempted murder accused businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

The police officer, identified only as Witness C, told the judicial commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, that Matlala volunteered the explosive information to the team attempting to find kidnapped businessman Jerry Boshoga in December last year.

Witness C said a team, including members of the police's specialised task force, national intervention unit, and tactical response team, swooped on Matlala's Pretoria mansion to conduct one of three parallel operations in the capital city and Johannesburg.

According to the witness, the team was briefed by Crime Intelligence Head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo that they had been instructed by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to take over the investigations into the kidnapping of Boshoga.

Khumalo told them that there was information that led to Matlala as the person behind Boshoga's kidnapping.

Witness C testified that although they did not manage to locate Boshoga, during an interview with Matlala, he made startling revelations despite never being asked and started name-dropping senior police officers.

He said Matlala told members of the team that he is a recipient of an SA Police Service (SAPS) tender valued at R1.2 billion over three years.

The witness added that Matlala claimed to have close connections with senior police officials - naming Sibiya, SAPS counter-intelligence boss Major-General Feroz Khan, head of organised crime Major-General Richard Shibiri, and also gave their contact details. In addition, Matlala said he was related to KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona.

“I’m of the opinion that he said that and dropped the names of senior police officials in order maybe to intimidate us that he is connected to high-ranking officials of the SAPS,” Witness C explained.

Matlala also indicated that a Sergeant Nkosi was his connection with Sibiya, and he (Matlala) would summon him (Nkosi) to come and collect money packages for Sibiya.

The witness said Matlala did not go deeper into how Sibiya and Senona assisted him in securing the SAPS tender.

“What he indicated is that after each and every payment by the SAPS, a portion of the payment goes to General Sibiya,” testified Witness C.

He said Matlala started making startling claims but did not know why he was giving the team the names of senior police officials, as well as security analyst Calvin Rafadi, as a person he assisted with his educational needs.

Witness C said upon further investigations, they discovered that Matlala indeed had a health service tender with SAPS, and it was to the value of R360 million, and that he had a lot of cases opened against him and a criminal record. However, he also had a close relationship with senior SAPS officials.

Witness C also gave evidence that Matlala told police that he was in constant communication with suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and that on the very same day his house was raided, he was supposed to have a meeting with Mchunu that night.

The meeting was arranged via a third party, and when asked who the person was, he elected not to say, but it later emerged that it was North West businessman and ANC backer Brown Mogotsi.

Matlala is facing charges for the 2023 attempt to kill his ex-girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, as well as conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za