WATCH | Mchunu denies knowing Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala despite obtaining his affidavit
Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu refuted claims that he had any personal relationship with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, despite having obtained Matlala’s affidavit while in prison.
Mchunu asserted that his lawyers procured the document without any direct contact between the two men.
Mchunu resumed his testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee, which investigated his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team. This move has sparked fierce debate over alleged political interference in police operations.
The committee is probing claims that Mchunu is using his political influence to undermine justice.
When questioned about how he acquired Matlala’s statement, Mchunu said, “I don’t know Matlala, but I started to hear his name more after coming across it in newspapers and social media platforms.”
He stated that on December 20, 2024, when discussions started with General Masemola about the contract, he began discussing Matlala more seriously.
“Before then, I only knew about the stories of Tembisa Hospital corruption linked to him, but nothing else.”
Responding to EFF leader Julius Malema’s pointed question about whether his lawyers acted without his direction in obtaining the affidavit from maximum-security prison, Mchunu stated that he did so to defend himself.
“I did express that if possible, I wished to get an understanding—perhaps through such a document—to address the allegations about my lifestyle and supposed connections with Masemola.
“But I have no evidence linking me to them, nor has anything like that ever happened. My lawyers acted on my expressed wish to get clarity.”
Pressed on why he would seek a statement from someone he has never met, Mchunu retorted, “Why would I spare anybody if people are trying to connect me to anyone?”
Mchunu also firmly denied rumors that Matlala was part of a dinner held regarding Matlala’s alleged role in Mchunu’s purported presidential ambitions.
“For that period, I never asked anyone to organise any dinner for me, nor did I provide any guest lists or request accommodation in Cape Town. In fact, I did not attend the ANC January 8 dinner or rally; I left Cape Town on January 8th, before that event, to attend a memorial service and funeral in Durban.
“Later, I attended a police officer’s funeral in Nelson Mandela Bay after a tragic incident. I have no knowledge of any dinner, sponsorship by Matlala, or involvement in such activities.”
In his interactions with Cedric Nkabinde, his Chief of Staff, Mchunu explained how he met Nkabinde.
“I met Nkabinde in 2017 when he came with Robert McBride after I wrote a letter to McBride to complain about a certain matter. They came to my house with Nkabinde. I took his details and kept in contact with him as advised by McBride.”
“This was a serious issue, and I believed the Hawks unfairly targeted me. The Director of Public Prosecutions at the time had reasons why there should be a prosecution against me after one of my protectors was killed. I maintain that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated.”
The Ad Hoc Committee was established to investigate allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who on July 6 claimed that a sophisticated crime syndicate had infiltrated various law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
The committee commenced hearings on October 7 amid heightened scrutiny of police leadership and government oversight.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
IOL Politics