Confusion, contradictions, as Mkhwanazi outlines relationship with ‘Cat’ Matlala at Madlanga Commission

By Johnathan Paoli

The Madlanga Commission’s marathon hearing on Wednesday ended with a strained exchange between evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello and suspended acting Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi’s testimony again raised questions about his role in the blue-lights saga and his dealings with businessman and alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s private security and medical companies.

Throughout a long day on the stand, Mkhwanazi struggled to offer coherent explanations for the memoranda of agreement he signed with Matlala’s security firm, CAT VIP Protection Services (Cat VIP), and medical company Medicare24.

Although he repeatedly referred to the documents as “proposed” and therefore not binding, Sello pressed him on the absence of any indication in the paperwork that they were drafts.

He eventually admitted that he had no authority to sign the documents at all and conceded that doing so was “wrong”.

Much of the morning