31 October 2025
The Madlanga commission of inquiry has heard how tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala allegedly paid millions to suspended deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya for protection.
Witness C, whose identity cannot be disclosed, on Thursday said Matlala was arrested on May 14 after he hit a pothole along New Road in Midrand, Johannesburg, and got a puncture.
He was charged with the attempted murder of his former girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane.
Witness C said Matlala told them that he was coming from former police commissioner Riah Phiyega’s home.
However, Phiyega has, in a statement sent to the commission, denied that Matlala was at his home on the day or any other time.
Said Phiyega: “The assertion made by Witness C is entirely false, and I reject it in its entirety. I hereby request a formal opportunity to challenge this testimony through the appropriate legal or procedural channels.”
Said Witness C: “He [Matlala] told us he paid R2m for Sibiya to buy a plot in Midrand. He said he contributed around R300,000 to Sibiya’s son’s wedding as a gift and at some point, he dropped R200,000 in Sibiya’s office bin.
“He [Matlala] also told us that he had given Sibiya five impalas, but they died.”
Witness C said Matlala told them the money paid to Sibiya was always in cash.
The witness said Sibiya assisted Matlala in securing the SAPS tender worth R360m, which was aimed at providing health services to its members.
The tender was later cancelled following an internal investigation that found irregularities in the procurement processes.
Source:Sowetan
