Photo of Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala and Julius Mkhwanazi revives scrutiny in Ekurhuleni probe

By Marcus Moloko

“A photograph proves proximity. In isolation, it’s neutral. In context, alongside MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding), IPID findings, financial trails, and sworn testimony, it becomes corroboration. The issue isn’t who stood next to whom. It’s whether public authority was leveraged for private benefit.”

Those were the words of an X user, @Gadfly342043, reacting to a photograph obtained by broadcaster eNCA that has reignited scrutiny around suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and businessman and alleged underworld figure, Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.

The photograph was allegedly taken during planning for Ekurhuleni’s 2022 State of the City Address and shows Matlala standing