Madlanga Commission | Witness C says Matlala bragged about SAPS ties

Witness C says Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, bragged about having close ties with senior SAPS officials during a search of his residence.

Testifying anonymously before the Madlanga Commission on Friday, the witness detailed his encounter with the attempted murder suspect — accused of embedding himself within the upper ranks of the police.

Matlala is also suspected of orchestrating the 2024 kidnapping of Pretoria businessman and farmer, Jerry Boshoga, who vanished in November last year after a meeting in Centurion.

The witness says Matlala, unprovoked, boasted about securing a R1.2 billion SAPS tender and claimed close links to senior police officials, seemingly to intimidate investigators.

Among the names allegedly mentioned was Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, along with his personal contact details.

Sibiya initially denied knowing Matlala — a claim that later drew public backlash.

Witness C further told the commission that Matlala alleged both Sibiya and KZN Hawks Head, General Lesetja Senona, played key roles in helping him secure the SAPS tender. He also claimed that Matlala owned a Menlyn Maine penthouse used by Crime Intelligence General, Feroz Khan.

The witness also revealed that investigators found a white sheet tied to a window at Matlala’s residence — resembling one seen in a ransom video involving Boshoga.

He said a Malawian man identified as Matlala’s general worker was found on the property, while another man — Yusufu Mutupanyama — occupied a room where the distinctive sheet was discovered.

“In one room we found one man became known to us a Mr. Yusuf Mutupanyama. He indicated to us that he is a general worker at the premises. We then conducted a search in the room and we found a white sheet which was very distinctive because it had torn edges and it was manually ties to the window as a curtain and that white sheet was distinctive because when one of the videos of the ransom that was sent to the family of Jerry Boshoga we could see that the sheet resembles the one that is on the video,” Witness C testified.

Meanwhile, Matlala — who is appealing his bail denial at the Johannesburg High Court today — faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.

Witness C said Matlala denied any role in Boshoga’s kidnapping but admitted giving him R5 million to buy a drug manufacturing machine.

He added that investigators seized two rifles and three pistols from Matlala’s home and that Matlala’s wife was asked to leave the room during the search.

Witness C further told the commission that when they questioned Matlala about Boshoga’s kidnapping, he said he didn’t know who was responsible.

He added that at the time of the kidnapping, many in Gauteng suspected Matlala due to his alleged involvement in previous abductions.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has voiced concern over the explosive allegations made before the Madlanga Commission, warning that untested claims could erode public trust in the judiciary.

This follows earlier testimony from Witness A, who alleged that a R2.5 million bribe was set aside to secure bail for controversial businessman and murder accused Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe.

However, the witness could not confirm whether the money was meant for Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba or the state prosecutor handling the case.

In a statement, Chief Justice Maya said Ledwaba — who was directly implicated — strongly denied ever receiving money in exchange for granting bail.

Molefe is accused of orchestrating the 2024 assassination of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, who was gunned down after exposing alleged irregularities at Transnet.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao