WhatsApp leaks at Madlanga Commission: Mkhwanazi links Mogotsi, 'Cat' Matlala, police tender plot and ministerial interference
KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, shared WhatsApp screenshots between Brown Mogotsi and tender kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala at the Madlanga Commission.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers
KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has dropped WhatsApp communications between controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi and tender kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala — suggesting interference at top levels of SAPS and politics.
Mkhwanazi concluded his three-day testimony at the Madlanga Commission on Friday, producing screenshots of WhatsApp messages allegedly sent between Mogotsi and Matlala on January 26, 2025.
The messages paint a disturbing picture of backdoor dealings, police tender manipulation, and potential political influence.
“One of the conversations between Brown Mogotsi and Matlala involves Mogotsi reminding Matlala to submit his invoice. Intelligence reports confirmed that Matlala submitted proof of invoice for expedited payment related to the ACPS contract with SAPS,” Mkhwanazi told commissioners.
In the spotlight: Justice Madlanga, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and KZN Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi — as the R147.9m Madlanga Commission into SAPS corruption kicks off this week
Image: IOL Graphics
According to Mkhwanazi, shortly after that, Mogotsi sent Matlala a screenshot of a separate conversation allegedly between himself and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
The message detailed Mogotsi’s plans to meet with Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya to “finalise” matters related to General Dumisani Khumalo and Mkhwanazi.
“That drew my attention. What exactly were they planning? Why was my name being mentioned in a private discussion between a businessman and a tender-linked figure?” Mkhwanazi asked.
A key point of interest was a message Mogotsi sent to Matlala the same day Minister Mchunu disbanded the Political Killings Task Team.
“Today is the day, just stand back,” the message read.
Alleged murder-accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala returned to the Alexandra Magistrate's Court, where he was denied bail.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
The screenshots were recovered from Matlala’s phone, not Mogotsi’s. Mkhwanazi confirmed that while Mogotsi has not yet been investigated or charged, the WhatsApp data “connects the dots” between key figures in the alleged manipulation of SAPS contracts.
“We haven’t gone to Brown Mogotsi’s phone. There’s no registered case against him — yet. But what we are seeing raises serious red flags,” Mkhwanazi said.
The messages, which Mkhwanazi described as “part of what the team is investigating,” suggest covert operations or meetings masked under casual appearances.
Mkhwanazi added that the conversation also revealed efforts to hire cybersecurity personnel and even mentioned facilitation of funding for guests accompanying the Police Minister to an ANC rally in Cape Town.
Receipts, hotel bookings, and other evidence have allegedly been collected by investigators and are expected to be presented later in the inquiry.
As the commission delved deeper, the use of senior officials’ names in private communications raised concerns about whether identities were being misused or accurately represented.
Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is expected to deliver explosive testimony as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System begins on Wednesday.
Image: IOL Graphics
“I’m not saying that was Minister Mchunu. It could be someone else saved under that name. But the message does begin with, ‘Morning Minister,’” Mkhwanazi noted.
With WhatsApp now central to the unfolding drama, the Madlanga Commission faces mounting pressure to subpoena implicated parties including Mogotsi and Mchunu to verify the full extent of the alleged network.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
IOL Politics