Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a flamboyant businessman embroiled in South Africa’s deepest corruption and murder allegations, has been caught with a cellphone inside the notoriously secure Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility—sparking fresh outrage over prison security and systemic corruption.
The discovery came during a late-night raid led by Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, targeting the ultra-secure C-Max section where Matlala was recently transferred after being reclassified as a high-risk inmate. Officials had first stumbled upon the contraband device in a surprise search conducted just days earlier.
Matlala, who is awaiting trial on serious charges including attempted murder, conspiracy, and money laundering, has long been a central figure in a sprawling criminal syndicate linked to politicians, police, and judicial insiders. His name has become synonymous with corruption following revelations about a controversial R360 million SAPS tender awarded to his company in 2024—an award shadowed by allegations involving former Police Minister Bheki Cele.
The presence of a cellphone inside one of the country’s most fortified prisons raises troubling questions about ongoing security lapses and potential insider collusion. Authorities have handed the device to the South African Police Service for a thorough investigation aimed at tracing the source of the breach.
Kgosi Mampuru prison, infamous for overcrowding and repeated contraband issues, now faces renewed scrutiny as this incident highlights the difficulties in maintaining control over high-profile inmates linked to powerful networks.
As investigations intensify, South Africans are demanding transparency and decisive action to root out corruption—both behind bars and beyond. The Matlala saga is far from over, and the implications for South Africa’s justice system could be profound.
