By Johnathan Paoli
Controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala has continued to deny having close links to alleged leaders of the so-called Big Five cartel, despite WhatsApp exchanges showing that his dealings with the late taxi boss Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi extended beyond security services.
Resuming his second day of testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, Matlala acknowledged knowing both Msibi and security businessman Steve Motsumi, but rejected suggestions that he was closely associated with either man.
His relationship with Msibi came under scrutiny after evidence leader Mahlape Sello presented WhatsApp exchanges between the two, covering a range of matters beyond security services.
The chats included payment notifications referencing Hangwani Maumela, a central figure in the Tembisa Hospital procurement scandal, documents relating to the possible purchase of an aircraft, a proposal for a lounge at OR Tambo International Airport and discussions about the sale of a vehicle.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi confronted Matlala over the exchanges, saying they appeared to contradict his earlier evidence that he had only provided VIP protection services to Msibi.
“You testified previously that your only relationship with Mr Msibi was your VIP Cat Protection and the protection services that you provide to him. Are you prepared to accept that these chats indicate that you have more than that as a relationship with him?” Baloyi asked.
“It is not an accurate reflection of what you gave us at first, that it was all there was, as a service provider and no more,” she added.
Matlala said he had kept Msibi informed about his business activities and acknowledged that the late taxi boss had regarded him as a son.
“Yes, commissioner, I just didn’t say that. I also said that most of the time I’ll go be with him. He even called me a son. But he was not my friend,” he said.
He maintained that his business dealings with Msibi were limited to security services.
Matlala also downplayed the significance of borrowing Msibi’s speedboat and communicating with him on WhatsApp.
“I think my definition of a relationship is something else. I cannot say because I called him or he borrowed me a speedboat or I sent him a WhatsApp, then we have more than a relationship,” he said.
“I know people who had more of a relationship with Mr Msibi and I cannot compare that with what I had with him,” he added.
Matlala ultimately conceded that he had dealings with Msibi beyond security services, including an attempt to jointly purchase an aircraft.
Msibi, a founding member of the South African National Taxi Council, died in January 2024 after a short illness.
Evidence before the commission has identified him as an alleged leader of the Big Five cartel, which has been described as a structured criminal network with alleged links to state institutions, the private sector and politicians.
The commission also examined Matlala’s relationship with Motsumi, founder of Motsumi Bros Investment Group and owner of Vhazwimi Security & Protection Services, whose business interests include construction, money lending, mining and the taxi industry.
Matlala confirmed that he knew Motsumi and had entered into a commercial transaction with him involving a R5 million loan to one of his companies.
“I confirm that I know Mr Motsumi and that I have done a commercial transaction with him wherein his company had lent and advanced one of my companies an amount of R5 million,” he said.
Matlala said the loan was provided to Medicare24 and used to renovate the hospital facility operated by the company. He maintained that it was unrelated to the controversial SAPS health services contract.
Evidence before the commission showed that Matlala subsequently made several repayments to Motsumi’s company, with the R5 million principal eventually repaid.
One R1 million payment was made on 10 December 2024, followed by two payments of R1.5 million each. By early February 2025, R4 million of the principal had been repaid.
A further R1 million payment was made in March 2025, effectively settling the principal, although Matlala said interest remained outstanding.
Matlala also acknowledged that his relationship with Motsumi was “not strictly business”, but said their interactions centred largely on business opportunities.
He said he had approached Motsumi for a further R20 million loan to assist Medicare24 Tshwane District, the company awarded the R360 million SAPS health services contract.
According to Matlala, Motsumi considered investing the R20 million but ultimately did not provide the additional funding.
The discussion over the Medicare24 contract later turned to Matlala’s constitutional fair-trial rights, with Sello arguing that he could not impose a blanket refusal to answer questions.
Matlala’s lawyer, Annaline Van der Heever, maintained that his constitutional rights extended beyond protection against self-incrimination.
The exchange became heated when commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga challenged Van der Heever to explain specifically how the evidence before the commission could prejudice Matlala’s criminal trial.
Proceedings were adjourned for the day, with Matlala expected to continue his testimony on Wednesday morning.
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