KZN Hawks head, Maj-Gen. Lesetja Senona said he encouraged the alleged criminal businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to “take them on” through legal channels after the SAPS terminated Matlala’s lucrative R360 million contract.

During his testimony at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, Senona admitted to advising Matlala to challenge the SAPS following the cancellation of a health services contract last year by National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola, citing irregularities as the reason for the termination.

Under sharp cross-examination by Adv. Adila Hassim, Senona was questioned about his close personal relationship with Matlala, who has been accused of several criminal offences.

Hassim pressed Senona on why a senior law enforcement official would offer legal advice to an alleged criminal whose contract with the police had been abruptly terminated.

Senona attempted to distinguish between encouraging litigation and urging a legal challenge.

“I never urged him to sue. My message talks about challenging the decision to cancel the contract, not sue — through legal means, through a lawyer,” Senona told the commission.

“Because I won’t do it, I can’t do it, and I won’t do it.”

However, when confronted further, Senona conceded that the advice itself was inappropriate.

“It was an error on my side,” he admitted, acknowledging that encouraging Matlala to pursue legal action against SAPS was wrong, given his position within the Hawks.

The commission also probed Senona’s failure to decisively sever ties with Matlala, even after becoming aware that the businessman was facing multiple criminal allegations.

Senona struggled to explain why communication between the two continued for months after those concerns became apparent.

“I was gradually moving away from him,” Senona said — a response that drew scepticism from the commission.

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga put it to Senona that his explanation did not withstand scrutiny, suggesting that he was battling to account for the continued relationship because his version was “untrue”.

Senona ultimately conceded that the prolonged association was problematic.

“It is a point of concern,” he said, acknowledging that it took him far too long to cut ties with Matlala.

Senona is expected to continue his three-day testimony on Thursday.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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