Controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala is once again at the centre of explosive corruption allegations — this time accused of sponsoring a senior SAPS Crime Intelligence officer’s trip to the ANC’s January 8 celebrations in Cape Town earlier this year.
According to News24’s 9 Lives investigation, Matlala allegedly funded Colonel Smanga Simelane and five others to attend the high-profile political event, covering travel and luxury gala dinner expenses. The revelations have reignited serious concerns about the influence of private money within South Africa’s policing structures.
The investigation points to a R111,000 payment from Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, to Gothle Specialist — a company reportedly linked to Brown Mogotsi, a known associate of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. WhatsApp exchanges between Matlala and Mogotsi reportedly back up the claims, suggesting a well-connected network of favours between business and police officials.
While the broader issue of political interference in the SAPS has already been thrust into the spotlight by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, this latest twist adds a layer of financial and ethical controversy — particularly given Matlala’s past connection to a cancelled R360-million SAPS tender that collapsed under a cloud of fraud allegations.
Both Matlala and Mchunu have denied any wrongdoing, but mounting evidence is fuelling public distrust and intensifying calls for a transparent, independent investigation. With powerful figures now entangled in what appears to be a widening web of influence and alleged corruption, the credibility of the police service — and its independence from political manipulation — hangs in the balance.
