By Johnathan Paoli
Controversial businessman and attempted murder accused Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s lawyers on Tuesday requested an urgent postponement of his scheduled testimony before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, arguing that adverse prison conditions and concerns over their client’s health and mental capacity have left him unprepared to give evidence.
Matlala, who is currently being held at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre’s C-Max section while awaiting trial for the alleged attempted hit on his ex-girlfriend, was expected to testify this week as part of the committee’s inquiry into allegations of corruption, political interference, and misconduct within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“Our legal team have raised concerns regarding the adequate time which they needed to prepare our client for this proceeding, and that certain time frames were not achievable. The shared amount of documents and affidavits that was provided made it virtually impossible for Mr. Matlala to be ready to adduce evidence, coupled with the dire circumstances of his detention with its own shortcomings and restrictions,” Matlala’s legal team wrote.
The committee had planned to conduct the session inside the Pretoria facility, marking a rare in-prison parliamentary appearance.
However, in a letter sent to committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane, Matlala’s legal team insisted that “the current conditions under which our client is being detained, along with his health and mental state, do not permit him to meaningfully participate in the proceedings”.
They further argued that they did not have adequate time to consult Matlala in preparation for the testimony, warning that proceeding under the current circumstances would “undermine the fairness and integrity of the inquiry”.
The lawyers have given the committee until 3pm on Tuesday to provide a written undertaking confirming that Matlala’s appearance will be postponed.
Failing this, they intend to file an urgent court application to halt his testimony until such time that proper consultation has taken place.
However, Lekganyane told reporters last night after Tuesday’s hearings that Matlala will definitely appear before the parliamentary ad hoc committee on Wednesday.
“Matlala and his lawyer have now requested that we start at 11am, which is something that is not unusual,” said Lekganyane.
Matlala has been a central figure in both the Ad Hoc Committee’s work and the parallel Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
His alleged influence within policing structures, political networks, and the criminal underworld has made him one of the most scrutinised individuals in the ongoing probes.
INSIDE POLITICS