Crime expert Calvin Rafadi, who has been implicated in the Madlanga Commission for allegedly soliciting favours from attempted murder-accused businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has resigned from his position at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

The university confirmed the resignation to IOL News on Monday.

“In addition to the response below, I have just been informed that Mr Rafadi has since tendered his resignation from his role and responsibilities at the university,” UJ spokesperson Herman Esterhuizen told IOL News.

Esterhuizen said Rafadi, a private forensic investigator and crime expert, was a research associate linked to one of the university’s research chairs and not a full-time employee.

“Mr Calvin Rafadi is a research associate at one of the university’s research chairs,” Esterhuizen said.

“He is not a full-time employee of the university, nor does he represent it in any official capacity.”

He added that the institution was addressing the matter internally after Rafadi was mentioned during testimony before the Madlanga Commission.

“It has been brought to the university’s attention that his name was mentioned in one of the testimonies presented to the Madlanga Commission. The university is actively addressing the matter internally,” Esterhuizen said.

IOL News previously reported that Rafadi’s alleged “requests” for favours from Matlala included petrol, diesel, rent money, car repairs, e-hailing rides, and payments towards his PhD studies was revealed at the commission last week.

These allegations emerged from WhatsApp messages presented by a protected witness, known as Witness X, before the commission, which is investigating allegations of collusion and corruption among politicians, senior police officers, prosecutors, intelligence officials, and members of the judiciary.

The accusations were initially made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. 

Witness X continued the testimony last week on Tuesday, following evidence previously given by Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, the divisional commissioner of crime intelligence, who had fallen ill during the proceedings.

Witness X testified remotely, with Advocate Adila Hassim SC leading the evidence and Advocate Thabang Pooe facilitating intermediary testimony. 

Due to a security breach that raised safety concerns, Hassim read the witness’s affidavit into the record.

According to the affidavit, the conversations between Rafadi and Matlala took place between December 12, 2024 and May 13, 2025.

In September 2025, Khumalo testified that he would provide the commission with chat records involving several individuals alleged to have beneficial relationships with Matlala, including Brown Mogotsi, Major-General Lesetja Senona (KZN Hawks head), Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi (Ekurhuleni Metro boss), Rafadi, and businessman and ANC member Suleiman Carrim.

Witness X alleged that Rafadi maintained such a relationship with Matlala.

“The analysis demonstrates that the requests for money and other favours are tied to Mr Rafadi performing a media and propaganda function for Mr Matlala,” the witness said. 

“While the payments are not always linked to a request, in some instances a payment is made, documentation is exchanged, and Mr Rafadi proceeds to make public statements against the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).”

Witness X described the chats as being “characterised by repeated requests for money or favours” from Rafadi, often relating to petrol, rent, or transport, followed by favourable media activity towards Matlala.

Between December 2024 and May 2025, Rafadi allegedly made numerous requests, including:

-December 18, 2024: Requested petrol.

-December 22, 2024: Requested rent money.

-January  9-10, 2025: Requested financial assistance to register for a PhD; Matlala allegedly paid R20,000 to Rafadi’s company, Bizztracers. 

-Jan 15-31, 2025: Requested petrol and use of a spare car.

March–April 2025: Multiple requests for petrol, diesel, taxi rides, and vehicle use.

-May 17, 2025: Requested money for car repairs; Matlala allegedly made a payment, to which Rafadi responded with celebratory GIFs.

Witness X also testified that additional payments to Rafadi were traced on March 2, 2025 and April 17, 2025 through Matlala’s phone records.

Rafadi has since said that he is prepared to testify before the commission.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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