‘Cat Matlala lied about dual citizenship,’ Khumalo tells Parliament
Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo has told Parliament that alleged tender tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala lied under oath about holding an Eswatini identity document, saying forensic evidence proved Matlala possessed and used it.
Khumalo addressed Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system on Thursday in Cape Town.
His testimony sharply dismantled Matlala’s earlier claims that an Eswatini ID linked to the surname “Dlamini” was fabricated and planted on his cellphone by investigators.
In November, Matlala denied possessing any dual citizenship and also denied using the Dlamini surname. He accused police of tampering with his phone.
Khumalo stated that those claims were false.
According to Crime Intelligence, a forensic analysis of Matlala’s cellphone uncovered a WhatsApp exchange between Matlala and his wife that predated the seizure of the device.
In the message, Matlala asked: “Please send me my Swati ID, it’s in our chats. I deleted it by mistake from my side.”
His wife then sent the image of the Eswatini ID back to him.
“That exchange alone destroys the allegation of tampering,” Khumalo said, adding that Matlala made a false statement to Parliament and repeated it in court without producing any expert evidence to support claims of cyber manipulation.
Khumalo further revealed that authorities in Eswatini confirmed the ID was issued to Matlala, but through what they described as highly irregular and procedurally flawed processes.
The personal identification number was generated on February 12, 2024, and used to issue a national ID before a birth certificate was registered.
The birth record was only created eight days later.
“That sequence is impossible in a lawful system,” Khumalo said, describing it as clear fraud. Those responsible for facilitating the ID have since been arrested.
The revelations land against the backdrop of Matlala’s arrest early last year.
In May 2025, Matlala was arrested for his alleged involvement in a failed assassination plot against his former partner, Tebogo Thobejane.
He faced several serious charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering, as well as attempts to defeat the ends of justice.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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