Love, luxury and cash in the Woolies bag: ‘Cat’ Matlala, his sister and a footballer - the scandal on everyone’s lips

The Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi this week heard explosive untested allegations of massive amounts of cash in Woolies bags, admissions about friends dealing in drugs and of fronting in business. 

Controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala told MPs that in December 2024, he appointed his sister, Claudette Masethe, as the sole director of Medicare24 Tshwane District. He said that although he resigned as a director at that time, he remained the owner of the company.

During questioning, Matlala conceded that the appointment was meant to make his sister a “front”, saying he held 100% shareholding despite resigning as a director in December 2024.

MPs also warned that Matlala had implicated his sister in suspected money laundering exercise when he detailed how he instructed Masethe to withdraw R300,000 in cash from the FNB in Menlyn, only to allegedly hand over the money to former police minister Bheki Cele as a bribe, after he had been staying at his apartment rent-free. 

During Cele’s appearance before the same committee, he confirmed staying at Matlala’s house, but denied taking any money from the controversial businessman who had secured a R360 million health services contract from the SAPS. The tender was cancelled in April 2025.

According to Matlala, in two occassions, Masethe made cash withdrawals of R300,000 and R200,000 - both stashed in Woolworths bags and handed over to Cele in Pretoria and Durban respectively.

Matlala also told the committee that Cele had initially demanded R1 million, but he was only able to pay half of that amount.

The Grant Kekana link 

However, one personal detail that also emerged during the hearings involved Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana. Matlala confirmed that his sister, Masethe, had previously been romantically linked to Kekana. 

On social media, pictures of Kekana and Masethe in Paris could be seen, while they also shared cosy pictures together at luxurious destinations in and outside of the country. Matlala told MK Party MP Thulani Shongwe that the two had since broken up, but he did not know the details around their break up. 

Matlala also said he was aware that Kekana was the son of deputy minister Pinky Kekana, but disclosed he had never met the Public Service and Administration deputy minister nor did he have any dealings with her.

Masethe has been reported as the director of Medicare24 Tshwane, while Matlala admitted that he remained the sole shareholder despite resigning as director.

"The shareholding certificate shows that I own the company. I own 100%," Matlala told the committee.

Medicare24 Tshwane was awarded a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) health services contract, which has since been cancelled. The contract was flagged as irregular expenditure by SAPS.

"She was the one who was the Director; she was dating this boy who plays football from Mamelodi Sundowns, Grant Kekana," Matlala said.

Matlala said he had never met the deputy minister, despite her sister being involved in a relationship with Kekana.

"I have never met her. They have even broken up"

Following the revelations, social media users reacted quickly, sharing their views on the matter. Sibongile Mhaga, a TikTok user, was shocked that Kekana's mother was involved in politics.

"Wait!! Grant Kekana's mom is also into politics 🤔!! Wait wait!!" she commented.

Some social media users also questioned the relevance of personal questions during the hearings.

X user @sydneythobejane commented: "Come on guys, in a commission a member asks who was wrong when two people break up. Was that really necessary? Matlala should have asked what that was going to help the commission."

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