Johannesburg — Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Wednesday, marking the start of what promises to be a highly scrutinized testimony regarding allegations of corruption and irregular tenders within the South African Police Service (SAPS). However, the former entrepreneur and alleged criminal figure expressed hesitation about answering certain questions, citing fears of potentially incriminating himself.

Matlala, currently detained at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility, was summoned to provide evidence relating to multiple multi-million-rand contracts he was awarded to supply medical services to SAPS. Before the hearing, his legal team sought to postpone his testimony, requesting additional time to consult on the implications of parliamentary questioning for ongoing criminal investigations.

On Wednesday, Matlala faced intense questioning from evidence leader Norman Arendse about the tenders, specifically how they were awarded and the processes that led to him securing the contracts. Matlala repeatedly declined to provide detailed explanations, emphasizing that doing so could compromise both the ongoing investigations and his legal standing.

“The issue with this SAPS contract is that I cannot go into specifics because there is an ongoing investigation,” Matlala explained. “I prefer not to discuss the contract further to avoid jeopardizing the inquiry or potentially incriminating myself.”

Arendse sought to reassure Matlala by highlighting the protections afforded by parliamentary privilege. “You are privileged in the sense that what you say here cannot be used against you by outside parties,” he said. However, he cautioned that this protection does not extend to instances of false testimony or fraud, which could void the immunity.

The ad hoc committee is tasked with investigating claims of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in South Africa’s justice system, and Matlala’s testimony is expected to provide insight into alleged irregularities in government contracts. Evidence presented to the committee runs parallel with findings from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which has already scrutinized Matlala’s influence and connections within law enforcement and government circles.

Matlala’s name has been frequently associated with high-profile investigations, including the controversial allocation of state vehicles to certain individuals and alleged criminal activity connected to his network. The entrepreneur’s presence at the committee is seen as a critical step in uncovering the broader mechanisms of alleged corruption within the police force.

Despite his limited commentary, the proceedings at Kgosi Mampuru have already drawn significant public attention, with discussions focusing on the balance between transparency, parliamentary accountability, and the protection of witnesses involved in ongoing criminal investigations.

As the committee continues its work, Matlala’s testimony is expected to extend over multiple sessions, with further questioning on his business dealings, affiliations, and the processes surrounding government contracts. Observers are closely monitoring the situation, noting that any contradictions or admissions could have serious legal and political consequences.

FAQ

1. Who is Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala?
Matlala is a former entrepreneur and alleged criminal figure currently detained, known for his involvement in multi-million-rand contracts with SAPS and alleged criminal activities.

2. Why did he hesitate to answer questions?
He feared that providing details could incriminate him or interfere with ongoing criminal investigations.

3. What is parliamentary privilege?
Parliamentary privilege protects witnesses from having their testimony used against them outside of Parliament, though it does not cover false statements or fraud.

4. What is the ad hoc committee investigating?
The committee is probing allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference within South Africa’s justice system.

5. Where is Matlala giving his testimony?
He is testifying from the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria.