By Johnathan Paoli
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona came under sustained pressure at the Madlanga Commission on Thursday morning over his involvement in business dealings between alleged criminal Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his son, Thato Senona, and claims that the younger Senona may have served as a proxy for his father’s relationship with the controversial tenderpreneur.
Senona flatly denied the allegation, insisting that his discussions with Matlala about Thato were those of a concerned parent receiving updates about his son’s private business activities, and not an attempt to disguise or advance his own interests.
ALSO READ: Khumalo tells ad hoc committee ‘misinformation campaign’ targeted Crime Intelligence reforms
“The conversation I had with Mr Matlala about my son was simply to give me an update on their business progress. If he couldn’t get hold of Thato, he would contact me. In turn, I would call Thato to tell him that Mr Matlala was looking for him,” Senona told the commission.
The commission heard that Thato Senona had exchanged identification and business documents with Matlala for FICA purposes, and that the messages between the two men strongly suggested Matlala intended to make an offer to purchase a property on behalf of, or together with, Thato.
Senona maintained that no such deal was ever concluded.
“The last communication between Matlala and my son was on 3 March. There was never a property purchase that went through,” Senona said.
Evidence leader and senior counsel Adila Hassim, put it to Senona that the timing and nature of the exchanges raised serious concerns, particularly given that Senona and Matlala were simultaneously communicating about police matters, including confirmation that a task team believed to be investigating Matlala had been disbanded.
ALSO READ: Dion George quits DA, cites “intolerable” rift with Steenhuisen
Hassim asked whether Senona had warned his son to cut ties with Matlala after reading a 5 March 2025 news article detailing allegations of fraud linked to Matlala’s R360-million SAPS health services tender.
Senona responded that the business relationship between Matlala and Thato collapsed shortly thereafter.
“The deal fell apart and my son has not communicated with Mr Matlala since then,” he said.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo, however, expressed scepticism, saying it appeared from the documentary evidence that Matlala had intended to buy a building for Senona’s son.
Senona replied that the motivations behind the aborted deal were not his to explain, saying that Matlala must explain to the commission.
Pressed on why Matlala would pursue the purchase of a single apartment for Thato, Senona conceded that the situation might appear unusual but denied any impropriety.
“Allegations sometimes are something. It is alleged. People will remain innocent until proven guilty,” he said.
Commissioner Khumalo put it directly to Senona that his son may have served as a “proxy: for his own business interests.
Senona rejected this outright, saying he denied the proposal, portraying himself as a parent removed from his adult son’s commercial decisions, while acknowledging that he had been aware of the proposed property venture.
“It was Mr Matlala who asked me whether I knew Thato. After I confirmed that Thato was my son, he told me they intended to buy a property together. I congratulated him,” Senona said.
ALSO READ: Schools must not be used for social conflict
The commission heard that contact between Senona and Matlala intensified after 15 April 2025, even after Senona became aware that Matlala was under investigation.
Senona insisted that this did not extend to interference in his son’s affairs or to leveraging his position to assist Matlala.
The commission adjourned, with proceedings resuming after lunch.
INSIDE POLITICS