Madlanga Commission | Cat Matlala to appear before commission next Tuesday

Alleged crime kingpin, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, has been subpoenaed to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, 7 July.

Matlala has reportedly agreed to testify on condition that he is not questioned about the controversial SAPS Medicare24 Tshwane District tender, citing ongoing legal proceedings involving the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

The commission says this will not affect its work or findings, adding that matters related to the controversial businessman are highly complex and form a key part of its investigation.

While declining to disclose the scope of Matlala’s evidence, commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, said the businessman remains central to several aspects of the inquiry and that the commission remains focused on fulfilling its mandate.

Michaels said the committed remains committed to hearing from all necessary witnesses before submitting its final report to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

He also confirmed that several high-profile witnesses are expected to appear in the coming weeks, including suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, who first testified before the commission in December last year about the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

Controversial North West businessman, Suleiman Carrim and suspended deputy Crime Intelligence head Major-General Feroz Khan, are also expected to testify before the commission concludes its hearings.

He added that a date for Medicare24 CEO, Mike van Wyk’s, appearance has yet to be finalised.

Meanwhile, the commission has once again postponed the testimony of alleged police informant and IT expert, Tumelo Nku, just a day after Commission Chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga directed him to appear before the inquiry.

Nku’s testimony has been repeatedly delayed amid concerns over his safety and the disclosure of sensitive information.

He has testified publicly on only two occasions, with much of his evidence relating to the controversial July 2021 Aeroton drug-bust heard in a closed session.

Justice Madlanga said the matters currently being canvassed with Nku are highly sensitive.

Nku came under the spotlight after the commission heard that he, suspended Gauteng Traffic Chief Samuel Mashaba, Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre (CIMAC) commander, Marumo Magane, and South African Police Service (SAPS) K9 unit officer, Steve Phakula, were arrested during the Aeroton operation on charges including drug dealing and defeating the ends of justice.

The commission believes Nku’s public testimony could place his safety at risk and is considering hearing the remainder of his evidence behind closed doors.

Before his first appearance, Nku had already submitted two witness statements. His evidence has since been postponed to allow amendments to those statements and to address new issues that emerged during proceedings.

In what the commission described as a “Damascus moment”, Nku said he had previously withheld information out of fear of reprisals, but decided to make a full disclosure following what he described as a reflective conversation with his spiritual leader.

Michaels said the commission’s priority is to ensure that Nku’s evidence is heard in a manner that safeguards both the witness and the integrity of the inquiry.

“I’m just trying to help you and the public to understand what has happened and so as Justice Madlanga said, there are serious security concerns around Mr. Nku. And that is why the commission has taken a decision to adjourn and hear Mr. Nku’s evidence at an appropriate point,” said Michaels.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao