By Johnathan Paoli
Alleged underworld figure Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala has revealed details of his close relationship with suspended KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) head Major-General Lesetja Senona, describing him as a“big brother” while refusing to disclose details about some of their dealings.
Appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday, Matlala initially resisted questions about when he first met Senona and the nature of their relationship, invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination.
Evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim challenged his blanket use of the privilege, while commissioners warned Matlala that he could not simply place the entire subject off limits.
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Matlala eventually conceded that his relationship with Senona developed through his connection to late taxi boss Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi. He said he would sometimes see Senona with Msibi before becoming closer to the police general.
“So I knew him [Senona] because sometimes he would be with Mr Msibi, and then that’s how I would say I got closer to him,” Matlala said.
He said he and Senona later sat at the same table at Msibi’s mother’s funeral in 2020 or 2021, where he learned that Senona was a police general.
“After the funeral, I was sitting with him at the same table. Well, after the funeral, we were eating, and then I was at the same table with him,” he said.
Matlala said their relationship subsequently became close, but resisted Hassim’s description of Senona as a personal friend.
“It’s not fair. It’s like now I’m saying I’m friends with the chairperson, and he’s older than me, so I would rather say my big brother,” he said.
The relationship extended beyond social contact, with Matlala testifying that he discussed his difficulties with his SAPS contract, police raids on his home and businesses, and concerns that he was being targeted by law enforcement.
Following a police raid on his home on 6 December 2024, during which his phones were seized, Matlala said Senona lent him R20,000.
“I told him that, listen, they [police] even took my phones. I cannot even make a transaction. I even borrowed money from him. Yes, I remember that day he gave me R20,000,” Matlala said.
He said Senona also undertook to establish what was behind a second police operation at his security company’s offices on 18 December 2024, although he never returned with an explanation.
Matlala said former police minister Bheki Cele eventually provided him with information about the raids. The businessman also confirmed that Senona accompanied him to a 15 April 2025 meeting with KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi concerning his Medicare24 contract and stalled purchase orders.
Matlala said he had wanted someone to accompany him and regarded Senona as sufficiently close to fulfil that role. Hassim questioned whether Senona had an interest in Matlala’s R360 million SAPS contract continuing.
“He had an interest, maybe I think, I will not say contract, but I will say in my project,” Matlala said.
However, when Hassim asked whether Senona had received any financial or other benefit linked to the contract, Matlala again invoked his right against self-incrimination.
“Advocate has seen those benefits or whatever they are, is under investigation. So I’ll choose please not to comment on that,” he said. The commission also heard about a separate “project” repeatedly mentioned in WhatsApp exchanges between Matlala and Senona.
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When Hassim asked what Matlala meant when he referred to “our project”, he refused to elaborate. “Yes, our project is under investigation, so I’ll please want to assert my right not to incriminate myself,” he said.
Matlala confirmed the project was not the Medicare24 contract but declined to provide further details. The evidence nevertheless established that Senona’s son, Thato, was involved in the project.
Matlala confirmed that he and Thato had planned to purchase an apartment in Menlyn-Worth between R2 million and R3 million, although the deal ultimately collapsed after Matlala was arrested in May 2025. He declined to say who would have paid for the apartment or whether Thato or his father would have had an ownership interest.
The proposed property transaction had previously surfaced in evidence before the commission, with Senona maintaining that his involvement was limited to supporting his son’s emerging business relationship with Matlala.
Matlala also testified that Senona had sent him documents relating to businessman Esmaell Nangy, who has been linked to allegations of kidnapping, and encouraged him to speak to Nangy about withdrawing allegations against police officers. His evidence also shed new light on the controversial Political Killings Task Team(PKTT) letter Senona sent him in December 2024.
Matlala said he understood the letter disbanding the task team as an indication that Senona knew the unit had been involved in the raid on his home and wanted to show him that it had been disbanded.
The commission continues.
