Albinism, trauma and the story of Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala

By Marcus Moloko and Johnathan Paoli

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee this week to testify on his controversial business deals, payments allegedly made to former Police Minister Bheki Cele, and his lavish lifestyle.

The proceedings took an unexpected turn as Matlala, known for his dealings with high-end officials, stunned MPs when he recounted the trauma of his childhood.

Questioned by EFF leader Julius Malema, Matlala revealed that his mother had albinism and that her life was shattered by violence that was rooted in superstition.

“I heard later that she was raped because there was this myth that if you can rape an albino, then you can get cured for whatever,” he told the committee.

The sexual assault, he said, led to her absconding, leaving him to grow up on the streets of Mamelodi.

Years later, he found his mother, terminally ill. She had since died, he