Lead
Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, a central figure in South Africa's Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into police corruption, appeared before the commission on 15 July 2026 and was granted a postponement to testify on 1 September. The businessman, who remains in jail, is due back in court on 20 July to face corruption and other charges after a plea deal collapsed.
Coverage Comparison
AllAfrica reported that commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga, a retired Constitutional Court judge, was visibly annoyed by Matlala's postponement application, asking why he could not answer questions that did not relate to his criminal trial. The hearing centred on whether Matlala should be required to file an affidavit and testify before the commission while plea negotiations and possible criminal proceedings remain unresolved. Matlala appeared in leg-chains and a sober suit, a departure from the designer attire he has favoured in previous appearances, and was heavily guarded by police.
BBC — World provided extensive background on Matlala, noting that his name has "haunted" the proceedings of the commission, which has been running for 10 months. The outlet described him as a "controversial" businessman who has been accused of supplying generous gifts — including 20 impalas, the weight-loss drug Ozempic and personal loans — to buy influence and get police contracts. BBC — World also detailed Matlala's early life, reporting that he was born in 1976 and grew up in a township east of Pretoria, often raised by a single mother who "disappeared" on him.
Key Claims
Matlala is accused of influencing and bribing politicians for a R228-million police wellness tender. The commission has heard that cabinet ministers and senior police officers, one of whom was gifted a Brazilian butt lift, fell into this network.
Matlala gave evidence at a parallel corruption inquiry in parliament last November, where he denied corruption allegations and said he did not know senior police officers and politicians personally. He admitted to having made donations for activities related to the African National Congress (ANC), the main party in the coalition government.
BBC — World reported that Matlala has been in police custody for more than a year in connection with a separate case and has not yet been asked to address wider allegations made at the Madlanga Commission, including claims that he was part of a drug trafficking cartel allegedly known as the Big Five.
Matlala came to public prominence three years ago when his name was mentioned in reports around alleged tender irregularities at a state hospital, though he said he had nothing to do with the tender.
AllAfrica reported that Matlala pleaded guilty to corruption charges as part of a deal with the prosecution but has since withdrawn the plea. BBC — World noted that Matlala was convicted and served time in prison for the possession of stolen goods in 2001.