Corruption accused Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala is preparing to submit an affidavit to the Madlanga Commission detailing an alleged conversation in which KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi reportedly said he could “take him out”.
The allegation appears in a witness statement Matlala provided as part of a plea deal with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac).
It relates to a meeting between Matlala and Mkhwanazi before Matlala’s arrest on May 14, 2025. He was subsequently charged with the attempted murder of Tebogo Thobejane.
According to Matlala’s statement, Mkhwanazi told him about a conversation he had allegedly held with Police Minister General Fannie Masemola following a police summit at Emperors Palace.
Matlala claimed Mkhwanazi said Masemola suspected he was planning to kill him so that Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya could become national police commissioner.
The statement further alleges that Mkhwanazi told Masemola: “Just say the word and I will take him out.”
Matlala interpreted the remark as a reference to himself. He also alleged that Mkhwanazi said he had contacted the commander of the special task force and arranged for an armoured vehicle to be made available to Masemola.
Security Concerns Prevent Matlala From Discussing Allegations Publicly
During cross-examination at the commission on Wednesday, Matlala declined to elaborate on the allegations concerning Mkhwanazi, citing security concerns.
He asked that the relevant section of his witness statement be treated as a security risk.
His legal representatives have since requested permission to submit an affidavit addressing matters he was unwilling to discuss during his public testimony.
The supplementary affidavit is expected to cover the allegations involving Mkhwanazi, as well as other issues raised in Matlala’s witness statement.
Mkhwanazi Accuses Idac Investigators of Targeting Senior Police Officials
Earlier on Wednesday, Mkhwanazi told the commission that Idac investigators had allegedly informed him they were pursuing evidence against him, Masemola and crime intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo.
He claimed investigators wanted information from Matlala that could be used to build a case against the three senior police officers.
Mkhwanazi said the investigators’ main objective was to target him by weakening his support base, including Masemola, before dealing with him directly.
The KwaZulu-Natal commissioner is expected to return to the commission to respond to allegations made against him following his initial appearance.
The inquiry is investigating claims of criminal infiltration into law enforcement agencies.
Meeting Was Arranged by Former Police Minister Bheki Cele
Matlala’s meeting with Mkhwanazi was reportedly arranged by former police minister Bheki Cele.
Matlala told the commission that he had requested the meeting because he wanted assistance with purchase orders linked to his R228 million health tender with the police.
The contract was cancelled by Masemola in 2025 following allegations of corruption.
Supplementary Affidavit to Address Claims Involving Sibiya
Matlala’s proposed affidavit will also deal with allegations concerning former deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya.
The allegations relate to claims that Sibiya drafted an affidavit submitted to the Pretoria High Court, which contained accusations against the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team.
During cross-examination, Matlala was reluctant to answer questions about Sibiya. However, he confirmed that Sibiya had allegedly made threatening telephone calls to his wife, warning Matlala not to disclose information during his appearance before Parliament’s ad hoc committee.
Matlala’s witness statement also alleged that he paid Sibiya R500,000. However, during his testimony before the commission, he denied making that claim.
Matlala Questions How His Idac Witness Statement Was Prepared
Matlala has accused Idac chief investigator Dylan Perumal, who allegedly typed the witness statement, of including information that he did not know about.
Senior Idac investigators Suneel Bellochun and Brian Padayachee were also involved in the process through which the statement was prepared.
The supplementary affidavit is expected to address the disputed contents of the statement and allegations that Matlala declined to discuss publicly during his testimony.
