Madlanga Commission | Video and chats link Matlala to alleged cocaine supply to van Wyk

The Madlanga Commission has heard evidence of a video reportedly sent by alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, had sent to Medicare24 CEO, Michael ‘Mike’ van Wyk, of six cocaine bricks.

Proceedings continued on Monday with evidence against van Wyk after he failed to testify, allegedly due to a panic attack that led to his admission to Jacaranda Hospital’s psychiatric ward over the weekend.

The cocaine bricks, branded with the word “Prestige” and a crown logo, each weighed 1 kilogram.

The commission heard that Matlala was made aware by a third party  of an alleged sale price of R350,000 for the drugs.

A note from the the South African Police Service (SAPS) Forensic Sciences Laboratory indicates the exhibits were received on 21 July 2025 after being submitted by Booysens Police Station, and that analysis had already been completed.

The commission also heard of a voice note in which van Wyk’s allegedly said he could afford to buy the bricks at R250 000, while the third party insisted on R350,000, describing the cocaine as “pure”.

Van Wyk, in a written response to the commission, denied receiving the video.

“Once again, I received the video recording from the inquiry and confirm that I never received this WhatsApp video on my cellphone.”

However evidence leader, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, rejected this claim, stating the commission had confirmed with the third party involved that the video was indeed sent to Matlala.

The commission also examined WhatsApp exchanges between Matlala and van Wyk, suggesting discussions in which they celebrated reports that then-National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola and Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, were facing work-related challenges.

Evidence further suggested Matlala was pleased at the prospect of “his person” potentially replacing Masemola.

Van Wyk, however, denied any relationship with senior SAPS officials, saying he had never been introduced to them.

Despite this claim, the commission viewed a video in which van Wyk introduces suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Deprtament (EMPD) deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, to former Optimum Coal Mine General Manager, George van der Merwe.

van Wyk later confirmed in his affidavit that he had previously worked with Van der Merwe in the close protection services industry, but said the relationship ended after he concluded that “nothing constructive” was coming from it.

Optimum Coal Mine, now known as Optimum Colliery, was previously owned by the controversial Gupta family.

The commission further heard WhatsApp exchanges between van Wyk and Mkhwanazi suggesting discussions about establishing an EMPD reserve force.

Chaskalson told the commission that the proposal involved recruiting individuals as reservists despite them not being members of SAPS or EMPD.

It was also heard that van Wyk prepared presentations on the proposal and uploaded them to YouTube, although the videos were later removed.

Chaskalson read one of Mkhwanazi’s texts to van Wyk relating to the proposed reserve force.

The messages suggest reservists would be issued appointment cards granting them policing authority, despite not bearing the EMPD logo.

The commission noted that under Section 48 of the South African Police Service Act, read with the Criminal Procedure Act, only the Minister of Police has the authority to appoint police reservists.

Further evidence suggested discussions between Mkhwanazi and van Wyk on sharing intelligence relating to truck hijackings and recovered stolen goods.

A post from Makopane Armed Protection Services was presented, showing claims of recovering hijacked goods, which Mkhwanazi reportedly criticised while suggesting collaboration with EMPD on recovery operations involving a 10% fee.

The commission also heard a voice note from van Wyk dated 18 July 2022, in which he allegedly expressed interest in the arrangement and proposed a meeting to finalise the deal.

In the message, he said:

“Hi Julius I just wanted to see how we can get involved with the specialized units so I can speak to Vusi so that by Friday we can get the vehicles and stuff. If you could just let me know and what vehicles you suggest we use and we can get this in the move and maybe they can help with the uniform and badges in everything,” said van Wyk.

A week later, Mkhwanazi allegedly asked van Wyk to confirm whether he had been added to an EMPD group tracking truck hijackings.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao