Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that investigators from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) were primarily interested in obtaining information about senior police officials rather than information from him.
Testifying on Monday, Matlala said that when he went to court, IDAC officials allegedly told him that they did not want him but were interested in information about National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Crime Intelligence head General Dumisani Khumalo and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
According to Matlala, the investigators instructed him to contact General Senona to try to obtain information about the three police generals.
He further identified Chief Investigator Dylan Perumal as the person who wrote the statement in question.
Matlala said he was explaining these circumstances because he wanted the commission to understand that some of the information contained in the statement did not originate from him.
He also claimed that IDAC officials became angry after he refused to accept the proposed sentence that had been discussed as part of his plea and sentence agreement with the State.
His testimony comes amid a dispute over the use of an unsigned statement prepared during negotiations for the failed plea agreement. His legal representative has argued that the statement should not be admitted as evidence before the commission because the agreement did not proceed.
The commission’s evidence leaders, however, have argued that the failed agreement does not prevent the statement from being used in the inquiry. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga rejected an application to exclude the statement. (Mail & Guardian)
Matlala is scheduled to testify over two days, on 9 and 10 November 2026. (The Citizen)
