By Johnathan Paoli
Proceedings at the Madlanga Commission resumed after lunch with a shift in focus after SAPS Quality Management head Brigadier Rachel Matjeng’s legal representative Rhulani Shirindzi, successfully applied to re-examine her testimony in order to clarify three central issues: her alleged romantic relationship with alleged drug-linked businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, the money she says she received from him, and the R300 000 he paid into Osizweni Butchery.
Shirindzi argued that “there are critical matters that require clarification so the record accurately reflects Ms Matjeng’s position,” a submission the chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga accepted without objection from the evidence leader advocate Pooe.
Shirindzi told the commission the re-examination was necessary because discrepancies and assumptions had emerged around the nature of the relationship between his client and Matlala, as well as the purpose and destination of the money Matlala allegedly sent on her behalf.
Matjeng reaffirmed her claim that she had been in a relationship with Matlala, beginning in 2017, though she acknowledged she “did not keep track” of when the relationship was active or strained.
She testified that the first financial contribution from him came only in June 2019, a R10 000 payment, accompanied by gifts such as flowers.
According to her, these were consistent with a personal relationship, not a professional transaction; adding that she believed Matlala “will confirm the relationship.”
Central to Friday’s session was the disputed R300 000 payment made by Matlala to Osizweni Butchery, which the commission has been told was intended for her.
Matjeng reiterated her position that she never received the money, claiming the butchery kept it because Matlala owed R338 000.
She further told the commission that Matlala had allegedly used her friend’s account for some transfers because he was “in business” with the friend, but she maintained the funds never reached her.
“I want to be clear: Matlala paid money intended for Brig Matjeng, but she says she never received it,” Commissioner Sesi Baloyi stated, challenging Matjeng’s explanation.
She noted that the clarity sought through re-examination should not obscure the fact that Matlala’s intention was to move large sums of money for the benefit of a senior SAPS official involved in overseeing his Medicare24 contract.
Justice Madlanga also pressed Matjeng on the improbability of the account details she provided coincidentally belonging to a butchery that Matlala owed hundreds of thousands of rand.
He described it as “fortuitous” that she did not receive the money.
“The fact that she did not get this money meant nothing, because the commission’s concern remains Matlala’s intention,” he said.
The evidence team highlighted two critical anomalies: that the account Matjeng supplied was linked to a substantial debt owed by Matlala, and that he allegedly continued depositing money despite, on her version, the butchery never forwarding funds to her.
The commission indicated it did not accept the plausibility of her narrative.
Under continued questioning, Matjeng acknowledged she had asked Matlala for financial assistance to settle a R156 000 judgment against her, but asserted she ultimately paid it off herself.
She insisted that the money and gifts she did receive constituted a “girlfriend allowance” unrelated to the SAPS contract.
“Whether I was in SAPS or not, he would have still given me money because we were in a relationship,” she said.
Advocate Pooe drew attention to the timeline: payments occurred between 2019 and 2021, then surged in 2025, after the Medicare24 contract was awarded, to a total of R300 000, which Matjeng denies ever receiving.
Pooe also questioned whether she assisted other service providers by giving them “ammunition” to challenge SAPS contract cancellations.
Matjeng replied that she supported other service providers in the same way she supported Matlala and received no money from them, however Pooe, citing Matjeng’s own affidavit, rejected this.
With her clarifications formally on record, Matjeng was excused.
Madlanga adjourned proceedings, with the commission set to resume on Monday morning.
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