Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Brigette Mabandla Judicial College in Pretoria on Sunday 17 August 2026, saying he hates Brown Mogotsi while refusing to answer questions about senior police figures. Image: @admin
Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala took the witness stand at the Madlanga Commission on Sunday 17 August 2026. The Cat Matlala Madlanga Commission appearance produced blunt denials and one memorable line about Brown Mogotsi. Furthermore, Matlala refused to answer questions about several high-profile figures linked to him in earlier testimony. As a result, Sunday’s session confirmed that Matlala will talk but only on his own terms.
When commissioners asked about his relationship with Brown Mogotsi, Matlala did not hold back. “I actually hate him. He caused a lot of problems for me,” Matlala said. He told the commission Mogotsi first contacted him days after police raided his home. Mogotsi claimed to be from the office of then Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. He allegedly offered to help Matlala open a case against the raiding officers.
“By then he wanted money. Yes, I gave him that money, I think it was R20,000. He said we must book accommodation for those investigators,” Matlala said. Furthermore, Bheki Cele later instructed him to maintain the relationship with Mogotsi to help establish possible corrupt links. As a result, Matlala’s account positions Mogotsi as a manipulative middleman rather than a genuine associate.
Matlala confirmed he paid R150,000 toward ANC January 8 celebration accommodation and transport. He denied this was a political bribe. He said it was a contribution he made as a businessperson who supported the party. Furthermore, his account is consistent with what Mogotsi told the parliamentary committee in February 2026, though the two men interpret the relationship very differently. As a result, the commission now has two competing versions of what the Matlala-Mogotsi relationship was really about.
Matlala’s willingness to speak stopped at Brown Mogotsi. His lawyer Advocate Annelene van den Heever helped him invoke his right not to incriminate himself when commissioners asked about General Shadrack Sibiya, SAPS sergeant Fanie Nkosi and businessman Suliman Carrim. He refused to discuss those relationships because of his pending criminal trial. Furthermore, his lawyer argued that answering could compromise his trial in the Johannesburg High Court where he faces 25 charges including 11 counts of attempted murder. As a result, the commission received only a partial account from Matlala despite his lengthy time in the witness box.
Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo told the commission that chats between Matlala and Mogotsi pointed to a close relationship between Matlala and suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan. “The chats between Vusi Matlala and Brown Mogotsi suggest that Matlala had a special relation with General Feroz Khan,” Khumalo said. Matlala also told Parliament in 2025 that he handed bags of cash to former Police Minister Bheki Cele. “I always operate with Woolies bags,” Matlala said. Furthermore, several witnesses before the commission have placed Matlala at the centre of claims about interference in the South African Police Service. As a result, Sunday’s appearance confirmed Matlala will speak strategically and only where it suits him.
For more on the Madlanga Commission visit thepresidency.gov.za.
Editors Note All allegations are unproven and will be tested through the appropriate legal processes. Vusimuzi Matlala and Brown Mogotsi are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Madlanga Commission has made no findings against any individual at this stage. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.