Madlanga Commission | Matlala links Sibiya kickback claims to Nkosi

Alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that he was made aware of allegations that suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, collected money from several individuals in Gauteng.

Matlala returned the witness stand on Wednesday as the commission sought to establish who may have been funding Sibiya, including whether controversial businessman, Steve Motsumi, was among those allegedly providing money to the suspended police official.

Matlala said he had no knowledge of Motsumi being involved.

However, he testified that detained South African Police Service (SAPS) Sergeant, Fannie Nkosi, had informed him that Sibiya was allegedly receiving kickbacks from several people.

Matlala declined to identify those individuals, once again invoking his right against self-incrimination.

This came despite Commission Chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, explaining that the evidence being sought was primarily intended to assist the commission in investigating law-enforcement officials and was not necessarily aimed at implicating Matlala.

Meanwhile, Sibiya has previously rejected the corruption allegations, maintaining that he has never been a “rogue officer” during his 37-year policing career.

He has also denied making phone calls to Matlala or having a close personal relationship with him, although he acknowledged that they had met on a limited number of occasions.

The commission further heard fresh evidence concerning Matlala’s relationship with former KwaZulu Natal Hawks boss, Major-General Lesetja Senona.

WhatsApp messages allegedly show Senona sending confidential SAPS docket information to Matlala on 10 March 2025.

Matlala testified that Senona allegedly asked him to approach suspected Mozambican transnational kidnapping kingpin and fugitive, Esmael Nangy, and persuade him to withdraw charges against SAPS officials.

The documents allegedly sent by Senona bore SAPS stamps and contained information relating to police officers implicated in the case.

Nangy was arrested at his Centurion home in January 2023 after police acted on an extradition request from Mozambique.

He later alleged that he had been unlawfully arrested, assaulted and tortured by police during the raid, claiming that six Rolex watches were also stolen.

Nangy subsequently instituted a civil claim in the Pretoria High Court, seeking R10 million in damages from the police.

Matlala told the commission that he had never requested the SAPS documents from Senona.

Instead, he said Senona told him that KZN police commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, had allegedly asked him to contact Nangy and persuade him to withdraw the charges against the police officials.

Matlala said he could not explain why Mkhwanazi would have made such a request or why he himself had been drawn into the matter.

“As to why? I cannot answer, I don’t know. It should be them who can say why. What I know is that he told me that I was requested to ask him to withdraw the charges. I contacted Nangy at a later stage. I can’t remember the exact date. It was after our meeting on 15 April.”

When Matlala eventually contacted Nangy, he said the alleged kidnapping kingpin appeared willing to withdraw the charges.

However, Nangy’s brother-in-law, who had also allegedly been subjected to the ordeal, opposed the move after reportedly losing his voice as a result of the alleged torture.

Matlala also provided insight into his longstanding relationship with Senona, saying their bond grew stronger in 2021, although they had first met before 2020.

He said their first significant interaction took place at the funeral of late taxi boss, Jothan “Mswazi” Msibi’s mother.

According to Matlala, he became acquainted with Senona because the former Hawks boss hailed from the same township as Msibi.

Matlala described Senona as an older brother and said he often referred to him as “Nduna”.

The two allegedly met regularly at Matlala’s luxury penthouse in Menlyn Maine and in Durban when Matlala travelled there.

Matlala further testified that Senona referred clients to his security company, CAT VIP Protection Services.

He also told the commission that Senona lent him R20,000 days after a 6 December 2025 raid at his home, during which a task team confiscated his firearms and cellphones.

Matlala said he had told Senona that he believed the raid was personal, prompting Senona to offer to establish why police were pursuing him.

However, Matlala could not tell the commission whether Senona ever returned with an explanation or provided him with any feedback.

The testimony has placed renewed focus on the extent of Matlala’s relationships with senior police figures and the alleged flow of information, money and influence between individuals at the centre of the commission’s investigation.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao