‘Cat’ cartel kingpin provided official security for Ekurhuleni — EMPD chief testifies | Madlanga Commission

Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) chief Jabulani Mapiyeye said criminal tycoon and cartel boss, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, provided security services to the City of Ekurhuleni through his company, CAT VIP Protection, with the help of Julius Mkhwanazi, his deputy.

The security firm rendered services during the municipality’s 2022 State of the City Address (SOCA)

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, Mapiyeye said that Matlala’s private security company was brought in to handle municipal security duties during the high-profile event, despite his department’s lack of involvement or approval.

Mapiyeye said Mkhwanazi, entered into an agreement with Matlala’s company to provide “additional members” at the city’s 2022 SOCA.

He said the arrangement was made outside official EMPD structures and that he only learned of it afterward.

“I was never consulted about the deployment of CAT VIP Protection at the event,” Mapiyeye testified.

“It was a parallel security process that operated without authorisation from my office.”

According to Mapiyeye, the municipality had received intelligence suggesting that certain groups were planning to “collapse” the SOCA, prompting Mkhwanazi to seek additional security support — a move that resulted in the involvement of Matlala’s firm.

The controversy deepened when KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, told the commission earlier that Mkhwanazi had fitted state-issued blue lights onto five of Matlala’s private vehicles and illegally registered them as EMPD cars.

Those vehicles were allegedly used for operations linked to the city.

Mkhwanazi has since been placed on special leave pending disciplinary and criminal investigations.

But he has denied the allegations by Lt-Gen. Mkhwanazi, saying he was misleading the public.

Mapiyeye, however, also faces serious allegations. He was suspended by the City of Ekurhuleni in September 2024 over sexual harassment accusations made by a female EMPD officer.

The complainant, who has obtained a protection order, alleges Mapiyeye made sexual advances and offered promotions in exchange for sexual favours.

The case is ongoing in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.

Mapiyeye’s testimony has reignited concerns over the infiltration of criminal networks into municipal and law enforcement structures.

The revelation that a company linked to an alleged drug cartel boss provided official security services to the city underscores what the commission has called “a crisis of integrity” within public institutions.

Meanwhile, Mapiyeye is expected to resume his testimony on Friday. He will give further details about how the Mkhwanazi ran Ekurhuleni amok.

Advocates Mahlape Sello SC and Ofentse Motlhasedi are leading evidence in the matter.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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