Attempted murder-accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that he fears for his life after falling out with suspended Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu and suspended deputy national police commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Sibiya.
Matlala, who was arrested in May 2025 for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, socialite Teboho Thobejane, reportedly confessed to detectives that he was “angry and afraid,” claiming both Mchunu and Sibiya were involved in corruption and manipulation.
His claims were presented to the commission by “Witness C,” a member of the Gauteng counterintelligence operations unit (GCI ops), a team drawn from the Political Killings Task Team and the provincial organised crime unit.
According to Witness C, Matlala said he was “frustrated and angry” with Sibiya, who he accused of being “a criminal himself.” He told investigators that he had financially supported Sibiya but felt betrayed when police raided his businesses and seized firearms, despite Sibiya’s alleged promises to protect him.
“Mr Matlala said that despite the general’s assurances that police would not raid his home or company premises, officers continued to conduct compliance inspections and confiscate weapons,” Witness C testified.
Matlala allegedly told investigators: “I’m playing my part in paying the general, but he is not assisting me in preventing these raids.”
Witness C said Matlala referred to Sibiya as “the Pitbull” and confessed that he was pretending to remain loyal out of fear for his life. “He told us that if Sibiya found out he had changed sides, it would be the end of him,” the witness said.
Matlala also revealed plans to file an affidavit in the High Court with evidence allegedly implicating Mchunu in “criminal activities.” He claimed that after refusing to open a case against police investigators, Mchunu ordered national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola to cancel his company’s contract with the SAPS.
In an audio clip played before the Commission, Matlala said: “I know I’m not safe, because today I sent a message to Brown Mogotsi telling him that I’m going to make an affidavit to the High Court and tell everything about the minister.”
Mogotsi, described in previous testimony as an “information peddler” with links to senior police, was allegedly aware of Matlala’s plan to expose corruption.
Witness C said Matlala realised he had been used by Mchunu, Sibiya, and their associates “to fight their own battles,” adding that he was abandoned when their alliance soured.
The Madlanga Commission is currently investigating allegations of collusion and corruption between senior police officers, politicians, prosecutors, intelligence operatives, and members of the judiciary. The inquiry was initiated following explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
