Julius Mkhwanazi admits receiving payments of up to R20 000 a time from Cat Matlala | Madlanga Commission

Suspended Johannesburg Metro Police Department (EMPD) chief Julius Mkhwanazi resumed his testimony at the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, following a tense exchange with the panel on Wednesday.

In a bombshell admission, Mkhwanazi admitted that he received money from criminal tycoon, Vusimusi “CAT” Matlala on many occasions.

Mkhwanazi says the money was for petrol and food and for funeral expenses. The highest he has received is between R15,000 to R20,000.

Testifying on Thursday, Mkhwanazi still denied that he physically installed blue lights on criminal tycoon, Vusimusi “CAT” Matlala’s vehicles.

“Commissioners, I can’t accept this I did not do it… I can’t go to jail and leave my kids over blue lights,” he said. 

But commissioner, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, clarified that the allegation was not that he physically helped in putting the lights on the cars but rather enabled the process. 

Mkhwanazi’s evidence painted a picture of alleged corruption and dysfunction within the city’s policing structures, citing political interference and the misuse of specialised units.

Central to his testimony was a 2021 letter of authority used by Matlala.

The letter purported to grant Matlala’s private security company, Cat VIP Protection, an “endless working relationship” with the EMPD and listed seven of Matlala’s vehicles as assisting the metro police.

Mkhwanazi, however, denied signing the document, claiming his signature had been forged. “I did not sign this letter,” he told the commission, emphasising that Matlala used it to evade law enforcement scrutiny.

While Mkhwanazi confirmed that he had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between two of Matlala’s companies, he insisted that this did not validate the letter of authority allegedly bearing his signature.

Both the letter and the MOUs were dated October 2021.

The commission is investigating whether the letter of authority was a deliberate attempt to circumvent policing regulations and whether senior EMPD officials were complicit.

Mkhwanazi’s testimony follows a series of revelations about potential abuses within Ekurhuleni’s police structures, raising questions about oversight, accountability, and the influence of political and business interests on law enforcement operations.

Meanwhile, the commission will hear testimony from the Police Minister, who is on special leave, Senzo Mchunu.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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