Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu allegedly used the State Security Agency (SSA) to help businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala identify police officers who raided his home in December 2024.
Witness C made the claim before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing alleged collusion between politicians, senior police officers, prosecutors, intelligence officials, and elements of the judiciary.
Matlala allegedly targeted detectives probing him
Prosecutors accuse Matlala of masterminding the 2023 shooting of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane, and charging him with attempted murder.
The Alexandra magistrate’s court previously denied him bail, finding he posed a danger to society and could interfere with witnesses.
Witness C, a Gauteng counterintelligence operative formerly deployed to the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), told the Commission that Matlala confided in detectives after his arrest.
“He told us that the Minister engaged State Security on his behalf. He used cellphone grabber machines to pick up the identities of the SAPS officials investigating him,” Witness C testified.
Witness C added that senior police official Brown Mogotsi allegedly sent Matlala the registration numbers of vehicles used in the raid. Allowing Matlala to identify two key officers.
Raid linked to the missing businessman case
Witness C said he and other officers raided Matlala’s home on 6 December 2024 while searching for missing businessman Jerry Bashoga.
They did not find Bashoga, who remains missing, but raised concerns about firearms linked to Matlala’s security company, CAT VIP Security.
The witness said the company’s firearm permits were digitally signed, creating a risk that unqualified individuals could issue permits.
Police returned later that month with a compliance officer and seized weapons over alleged regulatory breaches.
Witness C claims Matlala funded Mchunu’s political ambitions
Matlala told detectives that someone introduced him to Mchunu and asked him to fund the Minister’s alleged bid to become ANC president.
He allegedly presented proof of payment channelled through a company linked to Mchunu associate Brian Mogotsi.
The conversation reportedly took place on 14 May 2025, the day of Matlala’s arrest.
Alleged pressure to open false theft complaint
Witness C said Matlala also claimed that suspended Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, and Mchunu encouraged him to open a theft case against officers who raided his home.
Matlala allegedly admitted his Rolex had not been stolen but still attempted to register a case.
He first attempted to lay the charge at Brooklyn SAPS, but officers declined after finding the items documented in the SAP13 register.
He then allegedly opened a case in Soweto with Sibiya’s assistance.
