🕵️ Profile: Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala

From government contractor to alleged crime syndicate kingpin

Once an affluent government contractor, Matlala fell from grace amid a series of serious criminal allegations. As described by Independent Online, “Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala… once a wealthy government contractor, is now at the centre of a criminal syndicate probe involving top politicians” SABC News+15IOL+15TikTok+15.

High-security shenanigans

Most recently, Matlala was found with a cellphone while incarcerated in Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre and subsequently moved to the C‑Max section—indicative of strict security measures due to his notoriety Facebook+2SABC News+2YouTube+2.

Charges range from hit plots to financial crimes

Matlala is currently facing charges that reportedly include attempted murder—allegedly linked to an attack on actress Tebogo Thobejane—as well as a suite of financial crimes YouTube+9Facebook+9Facebook+9.

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Mkhwanazi’s Allegations: A Syndicate with Political Reach?

Disbanded taskforces and political murders

In early July, KwaZulu‑Natal Police Commissioner Lt‑Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Minister Mchunu and Deputy Commissioner Sibiya of dismantling a police unit probing politically motivated killings. They claim this helped shield a syndicate allegedly led by Matlala and others with heavy political connections IOL+15AP News+15IOL+15.

Financial protection and WhatsApp evidence

Citing digital communications, Mkhwanazi claimed that Matlala had paid off Minister Mchunu to derail investigations into his activities. WhatsApp messages and other documentation are said to demonstrate coordination between the two News24+15Reuters+15Facebook+15.

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Mchunu’s Denials and Official Fallout

“No relationship with Cat Matlala”

Minister Mchunu has categorically denied any link to Matlala. He claims he has neither met nor received anything from him—stating that any association is purely partisan allegory .

Political alliances cloud the narrative

Mchunu admitted acquaintance with another controversial figure, Brown Mogotsi, but downplayed it as a mere “comrade” relationship, not transactional News24+4IOL+4Wikipedia+4.

Investigation under way

President Ramaphosa suspended Mchunu on July 13 2025 and announced a judicial commission led by a judge, alongside oversight by the NPA and SSA, to investigate these grave claims Reuters+2AP News+2Wikipedia+2.

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Implications: Institutional Corruption Meets Organized Crime

• Undermining law enforcement: Dismantling a task force investigating political homicides suggests systemic corruption at the heart of policing.

• Political–criminal nexus?: Allegations that a minister accepted bribes from a crime boss paints a troubling picture of state capture.

• Threat to stability: Investor confidence and public safety are at stake as this scandal emerges amid high crime levels in South Africa, costing an estimated 10% of GDP annually IOL+7Reuters+7News24+7.

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Investigative Questions for the Commission

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Conclusion

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala exemplifies how business, crime, and politics can intertwine. Allegations by Lt‑Gen Mkhwanazi suggest Matlala enjoyed protection at high levels of government—shielded from prosecution and orchestrating the suppression of investigations. These claims, supported by alleged digital proof, challenge the integrity of SA’s top law enforcement.

With Senzo Mchunu suspended and a judicial commission established on July 13 2025, this probe may expose deeper fractures in South Africa’s fight against organized crime and corruption. The nation now watches as the inquiry determines whether a criminal syndicate was indeed operating with state complicity—or if the allegations will dissolve under scrutiny.

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References

• South African president suspends police minister and launches probe into alleged links to criminals. (AP News, July 13, 2025) The Times+15AP News+15SABC News+15Instagram+1Reuters+1IOLNews24+9Facebook+9IOL+9

• South Africa’s Ramaphosa removes police minister over criminal link allegations. (Reuters, July 13, 2025) Reuters

• South Africa suspends police minister over organised crime claims. (The Times, July 14, 2025) The Times

• Matlala found with cellphone inside his cell, moved to C‑Max section. (SABC News, July 10 2025) YouTube+2SABC News+2Facebook+2

• The man at the centre of the Mkhwanazi, Mchunu storm – who is Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala? (IOL, July 9 2025) IOL+1IOL+1

• Mkhwanazi Accusations: DA lays criminal charges against Mchunu. (IOL, July 10 2025) SABC News+2IOL+2YouTube+2

• 9 LIVES | Tender King ‘Cat’ Matlala and Senzo Mchunu linked in protection/bribe scandal. (News24 Investigations, July 6 2025) News24

• Mchunu denies Mkhwanazi’s criminal links accusations. (Daily Maverick, July 9 2025) News24+15Daily Maverick+15Facebook+15

• Senzo Mchunu. (Wikipedia, accessed July 15 2025) YouTube+9Wikipedia+9IOL+9