Madlanga Commission | Sibiya’s direct contact centred on Boshoga’s disappearance: Matlala

Alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, says the only time he spoke directly to suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, was when they discussed the November 2024 disappearance of Pretoria businessman and farmer, Jerry Boshoga.

Matlala made the remark on Monday while testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he said that detained SAPS Sergeant, Fannie Nkosi, initially acted as an intermediary between him and Sibiya.

Matlala said his first direct contact with Sibiya came through an email in which he sought assistance with a public works lease agreement after experiencing difficulties with payments.

He said the email led to a meeting at Sibiya’s office, where they attempted to resolve the matter.

Matlala told the commission that he later spoke to Sibiya about Boshoga’s disappearance.

He said he was uncertain whether Sibiya had been officially assigned to investigate the matter, but proceeded to explain what he believed could have happened to the Centurion-based businessman.

Forty-six-year-old Boshoga was abducted in Rooihuiskraal, Centurion, on 18 November 2024.

His disappearance exposed an underworld web involving multi-million rand ransom demands, alleged drug debts and links to high-profile criminal syndicates and alleged police corruption.

Proceedings at the commission were briefly thrown into uncertainty when Matlala’s legal team threatened to withdraw if his testimony was not postponed until Tuesday.

His testimony has been characterised by a series of objections and disagreements between his legal representatives and the commission over whether he was adequately prepared to continue.

In a dramatic development, Matlala appeared to contradict his legal team, saying he was not entirely sure whether the instruction to withdraw had come from his lead attorney, Advocate Annelie van den Heever.

“I am actually in the dark now because… I didn’t get enough time to conclude what we discussed, so we came straight here. So I do not know whether what my legal counsel is saying now is coming from Mrs. van den Heever or not, so I’m actually in the dark,” Matlala said.

Advocate Fatima Missi, who represented Matlala on Monday, placed on record that the entire legal team could withdraw if the commission refused to grant the requested postponement.

The lawyers said they needed additional time to familiarise themselves with documents relevant to Matlala’s testimony.

Missi told the commission that Matlala had experienced difficulties consulting with his legal representatives ahead of Monday’s proceedings, adding that the legal team was also still waiting to obtain some documents considered relevant to his testimony.

The commission’s evidence leader, Advocate Adila Hassim, opposed the request, arguing that the issues before the commission were not new to Matlala’s legal team and that the inquiry was itself operating under significant time constraints.

“The long explanation about the difficulties of accessing their client at the correctional center doesn’t really assist in relation to the founding affidavit because there was sufficient time. But it’s not only about sufficient time from the period on Friday to Monday. Mr. Matlala’s legal representatives have been raising this issue for some time. They are aware of the categories of evidence that the evidence leaders wish to canvas with them. They have known this from at least March of this year,” Hassim said.

Despite the objections, commission Chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, ruled that proceedings would continue.

Matlala’s legal team eventually agreed to remain on record and continue representing him, while maintaining that he retains his right against self-incrimination when answering questions from the commission.

The commission later questioned Matlala about his relationship with officials from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and his alleged dealings within the municipality. Matlala declined to address the matter, citing pending litigation.

Matlala, however, provided details about his relationships with late taxi boss, Jothan “Mswazi” Msibi, and alleged Big Five Cartel boss, Katiso “KT” Molefe, among others.

Matlala also told the commission that he had previously attempted to purchase a private jet from Msibi, but the deal ultimately fell through.

He also declined to elaborate on his relationship with Medicare24 CEO, Mike van Wyk, saying van Wyk is a witness in litigation concerning his controversial R360 million SAPS health risk assessment contract.

Matlala appeared before the commission without his lead attorney, Advocate Annelie van den Heever, who is reportedly receiving treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao