By Marcus Moloko
Alleged crime kingpin and tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a central figure in this week’s ad hoc committee hearings, testified about staggering corruption and brazen police and political chicanery in South Africa.
His testimony before Parliament also revealed staggering details of his lifestyle, which included cash payments to former police minister Bheki Cele, a large entourage of bodyguards, and the financial demands of raising nine children.
Matlala’s story is not only about alleged corruption; it also exposes the sheer scale of wealth needed to sustain his monthly lifestyle.
Beyond the R1 million he says Cele demanded, an amount he never disputed having, Matlala also claimed he made a second payment of R200 000 to Cele at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga.
He had travelled with between 14 and 16 bodyguards, transporting the money in a Woolworths bag.
The entourage is one of the major expenses.
Each bodyguard according to Matlala earned around R100 000 per month, meaning Matlala spent R1.4 to R1.6 million monthly just on protection.
Beyond his political payments and security detail, Matlala has nine children, which he confirmed he supports.
Given his taste in luxury and dress sense, private schooling and allowances, increase his spending to over R 50 000 per child per month, which could add another R 450 000 to his monthly outflow.
Matlala admitted to paying Cele R500,000 in total to stop alleged police “harassment.”
His name also surfaced in connection with other figures, including Mogotsi, suggesting that cash payments to political allies and associates were routine.
Averaging these transactions, Matlala likely spent R500,000 monthly on political favors and deals
Matlala’s lifestyle extended beyond politics and family.
His penthouse – a lavish, fully furnished three-bedroom unit in Menlyn, Pretoria – along with his luxury travel and designer fashion, suggests additional monthly expenses of between R300 000 and R500 000.
By piecing together his testimony and media reports, it suggests that Matlala needs at least R2.5 to R3 million per month to sustain his lifestyle.
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