Vusimuzi Cat Matlala enjoyed blue lights perks from Ekurhuleni metro with help from police chief, says Mkhwanazi
Controversial businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala allegedly enjoyed the use of blue lights on private vehicles registered as municipal assets, according to testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Image: AFP
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says that controversial businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala has been enjoying unlawful privileges from law enforcement, including the use of municipal vehicles fitted with blue lights.
On the second day of the inquiry, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Mkhwanazi testified that Matlala’s vehicles had been fraudulently registered under the Ekurhuleni municipality, a move facilitated by senior law enforcement officials.
The commission is investigating corruption, political interference, and the shielding of criminal networks within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“Some of the things I’m presenting here are based on information relayed to me by various law enforcement disciplines as they carried out their duties,” said Mkhwanazi.
“That information will later be confirmed by the same people who briefed me when they appear before the commission.”
Mkhwanazi revealed that several of Matlala’s personal vehicles, reportedly four or five, were unlawfully registered as official municipal vehicles by Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, Director of Special Services at the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD).
“He facilitated the registration of these vehicles as if they were municipal assets, funded by the Ekurhuleni municipality,” said Mkhwanazi.
He said the vehicles were not only falsely registered but were also equipped with blue lights, intended solely for use by law enforcement.
KZN police boss Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi testified that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s private vehicles were unlawfully fitted with blue lights and registered as municipal assets, a scheme allegedly facilitated by senior law enforcement officials.
Image: Oupa Mokoena
Mkhwanazi said that under South African traffic law, blue lights are restricted to the SAPS, metro police, traffic police, and military police.
“The installation of blue lights on Matlala’s private vehicles was unlawful. This was not done covertly; it was facilitated by law enforcement itself,” he said.
According to the testimony, the misconduct came to light after a complaint was filed by the EMPD Chief of Police.
However, Mkhwanazi claimed that the officer was suspended after raising the issue with municipal executives, allegedly under pressure from higher-ups who wanted the investigation dropped.
The matter was then handed over to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which conducted an inquiry and produced a confidential report recommending disciplinary action against Major General Julius Mkhwanazi.
“IPID made recommendations to the executive of Ekurhuleni to take action. That report is classified but will be declassified and submitted to the commission,” said Mkhwanazi.
Matlala is under mounting public scrutiny amid serious allegations including corruption, political manipulation, and murder.
In 2024, he was controversially awarded a R360 million SAPS contract, which has since been cancelled.
The top cop alleged that Matlala financed political activities linked to suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu.
Furthermore, Matlala’s private security company, CAT VIP Protection, reportedly made use of EMPD vehicles - allegedly authorised by Mkhwanazi.
Matlala was denied bail in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The 49-year-old businessman faces charges of attempted murder, money laundering, and possession of a fraudulent Eswatini identity document.
The State opposed bail, citing Matlala as a flight risk due to his alleged ownership of a private jet, foreign assets in Mauritius, and multiple trips to Eswatini.
He stands accused of orchestrating the 2023 attempted hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane.
Police also revealed that an AK-47 and two pistols linked to Matlala and associate Katiso “KT” Molefe are connected to 18 murder and attempted murder cases, including the killings of DJ Sumbody and Armand Swart.
ActionSA City of Ekurhuleni caucus leader Siyanda Mkhwanazi returned to work in October 2024, after an investigation into his alleged misconduct was "mysteriously dropped."
He said the probe was meant to “seriously investigate accusations that Mkhwanazi was abusing his power and utilising metro vehicles for personal use and that of his friends.”
However, Makhubo says new allegations from whistleblowers inside the department justify reopening the case.
“New, serious allegations against Mkhwanazi which have come from whistleblowers within the department, including soliciting ‘sex for jobs’ from female EMPD officers who want to move up the ranks and making it difficult for more qualified officers in the department to get promoted, mean that ActionSA believes there is a case to reopen the investigation into his conduct,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Madlanga Commission still in its early stages, more damning revelations are expected.
Mkhwanazi said witnesses are due to present corroborating evidence, including classified IPID reports and whistleblower statements, which could implicate a network of officials and businesspeople in systemic corruption and violence.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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