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Matlala decided not to incriminate himself at the Madlanga Commission


 

On Monday, August 17, 2026, businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appeared before the Madlanga Commission and refused to answer the majority of questions posed to him regarding his alleged involvement in corrupt activities within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

 Represented by Advocate Annelene van den Heever, Matlala consistently invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination, citing pending criminal charges related to the controversial Medicare24 tender. 

Matlala stated that he remains an accused person in an ongoing criminal trial and is entitled to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 Consequently, he declined to provide evidence that could potentially be used against him in court. This stance prevented the commission from obtaining testimony on key allegations, including claims that he bribed senior police officials such as Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, Maj-Gen Richard Shibiri, and Sgt Fannie Nkosi. He also refused to comment on financial arrangements with Suleman Carrim, noting that these matters are part of the sub judice criminal case.

In a notable departure from his silence on other matters, Matlala agreed to discuss his relationship with Brown Mogotsi, a former Madlanga witness. Matlala revealed a contentious dynamic between the two, stating, "I actually hate him. He caused a lot of problems for me." He explained that Mogotsi first contacted him shortly after police raided his home, claiming to represent the office of Senzo Mchunu. 

While Matlala was willing to outline the existence of this association, he still omitted specific details of their interactions, maintaining that full disclosure could incriminate him given that recordings of their communications are under investigation. This selective cooperation highlighted the tension between the commission’s mandate to uncover the truth and Matlala’s legal strategy to protect his position in the upcoming criminal trial.

The commission’s proceedings were marked by significant delays and visible frustration from the commissioners. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and other members questioned the legal basis for withholding information that fell within Matlala’s personal knowledge but was not directly part of the collapsed plea agreement with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

 Despite arguments from the commission that the failed plea deal was "null and void" and irrelevant to the inquiry, Matlala’s team insisted on access to related materials before proceeding. 

As a result of the impasse, Matlala’s testimony was postponed, with the commission scheduling a continuation for August 24, 2026, to allow his legal team time to prepare a supplementary affidavit. The commission emphasized the urgency of its timeline, noting that Matlala’s repeated refusals to answer questions were hindering its ability to finalize its report on criminal infiltration in law enforcement.

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Updated: August 2026 

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