Cat Matlala back in hot seat as Madlanga probe deepens

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is set to face a new line of questioning at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, 26 August, after revealing details about his financial dealings with businessmen Hangwani Maumela and Steve Motsumi.

Matlala spent much of Tuesday answering questions about his business relationship with Maumela and money he received from Motsumi.

His legal team, however, asked for more time to prepare him before Wednesday’s testimony continued.

MATLALA’S LEGAL TEAM REQUESTS TIME TO CONSULT

Matlala’s lead counsel, Advocate Annelene van den Heever, earlier asked the commission for an hour to consult with him on Wednesday morning.

Van den Heever said the team needed to work through documents and ensure Matlala was sufficiently prepared.

She said the team had struggled to keep up with new material received from the commission since Friday.

“Unfortunately, it is so. That we as a team have been trying to catch up with all the new things we are constantly been given by the Commission since Friday,” Van den Heever said.

She added that the team needed “an opportunity for fairness to the client”.

The request follows several disputes between Matlala’s legal team and the commission over consultation time and his reliance on the right against self-incrimination.

COMMISSION TURNS TO NEW LINE OF QUESTIONING

The commission is expected to move to a new topic with Matlala on Wednesday.

Matlala spent Tuesday answering questions about his financial relationships with Maumela and Motsumi.

He confirmed that he and Maumela were business partners and invested money in government tender opportunities.

Further, he told the commission that they shared profits from successful contracts.

Their relationship dates back to around 2015 or 2016.

Matlala previously told the commission that they initially bonded over their shared interest in sports cars before their relationship extended into business.

MATLALA DETAILS BUSINESS DEALINGS WITH MAUMELA

The commission heard that he and Maumela pooled money to pursue medical supply opportunities.

Matlala said the pair shared profits from successful contracts despite having no written agreement governing the arrangement.

Evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello questioned Matlala about how the arrangement worked.

Matlala also maintained that he could be the subject of a Special Investigating Unit investigation linked to Gauteng Health Department tenders.

However, he could not specify the offence for which he believed authorities were investigating him.

R5 MILLION LOAN PUT UNDER SPOTLIGHT

The commission also questioned Matlala about a R5 million loan from businessman Steve Motsumi.

Matlala stated that Motsumi loaned him the money in 2024 to fund renovations for a hospital lease project at the SAPS Pretoria West College.

According to Matlala, they formalised the loan through an acknowledgement of debt. He then repaid the money in 2025.

Matlala also addressed a proposed R20 million investment from Motsumi, which he said never materialised.

MAUMELA AND MSIBI LINKS ALREADY UNDER SCRUTINY

The financial evidence follows earlier questions about Matlala’s relationships with Maumela and the late Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi.

As The South African previously reported, Matlala acknowledged his friendship with Maumela but denied that he and Msibi were friends.

He described his relationship with Msibi as professional.

The commission has scrutinised those relationships as it works through evidence concerning people whose names have surfaced during its hearings.

MATLALA INVOKES RIGHT AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION

Matlala has also repeatedly invoked his right against self-incrimination when declining to answer certain questions.

The issue came under scrutiny again this week when commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga challenged Matlala to explain how answering specific questions could incriminate him.

Matlala has cited pending criminal cases and investigations when invoking the privilege.

His legal team has sought to protect his position in those matters while evidence leaders continue pressing him for answers.

The Madlanga Commission is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system.