Cat Matlala enjoyed ‘unusual freedom’ at Kgosi Mampuru: Mkhwanazi

March 18, 2026 148

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has revealed claims that alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was living comfortable at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility.

Mkhwanazi told Parliament’s ad-hoc committee on Wednesday, that he received a handwritten letter from an inmate who shared a cell with Matlala at the maximum facility.

He says the inmate alleged that Matlala had a close relationship with the head of the facility and made casual confessions about criminal activities, unaware that they were being documented.

The letter also implicates senior figures, including claims of a conference call involving Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi, and Matlala’s lawyer, Laurence Hodes.

While stressing that the allegations still need to be verified, Mkhwanazi says some of the details align with non-public information known to him.

Cat Matlala enjoyed ‘unusual freedom’ at Kgosi Mampuru: Mkhwanazi Lindiwe Mpanza

Mkhwanazi added that he believes the alleged underworld figure was used in an attempt to discredit him.

He was responding to claims about a meeting between the two, which Matlala revealed during testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee last year.

Mkhwanazi acknowledged the meeting, but said he had not disclosed it publicly, as the individuals discussed are subject to ongoing investigations.

Cat Matlala enjoyed ‘unusual freedom’ at Kgosi Mampuru: Mkhwanazi Lindiwe Mpanza

These revelations come as Matlala continues to challenge his transfer to the Ebongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre in Kokstad – one of South Africa’s most secure prisons.

The Department of Correctional Services maintains that the transfer was routine, guided by established security risk assessments to ensure the safety and stability of correctional facilities.

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester has also been transferred to the same facility.

Meanwhile, Mkhwanazi says he took a conscious decision on 6 July to stand for the truth, knowing that his family would be affected.

He says he is not necessarily worried about dying.

“We all shall die. No one will live forever. It depends how you die. If death gets me, it will get me. I can walk out of here and play with explosives, go skydiving. Death will catch us all.”

Cat Matlala enjoyed ‘unusual freedom’ at Kgosi Mampuru: Mkhwanazi Lindiwe Mpanza

I’m not much of a Christian.

Christians pray a lot about going to heaven,
yet they are very afraid of death-

General Nhlanhla “Lucky” Mkhwanazi.

— NyiKo🧔🏾 (@NyKoMR) March 18, 2026