How a former 'street kid' is key to South Africa's police corruption inquiry
Summary
Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala, a businessman who grew up in a South African township and has faced many criminal charges, is now a key figure in a major inquiry into police corruption. He is expected to answer questions about allegations that he bribed police officers to get contracts and was involved in drug trafficking.Key Facts
- Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala is 49 years old and has been in police custody for over a year on a separate case.
- He is accused of giving valuable gifts like 20 impalas (animals), a weight-loss drug (Ozempic), and personal loans to influence police officials.
- The inquiry, called the Madlanga Commission, has been going on for 10 months and investigates police corruption in South Africa.
- Matlala previously denied corruption in a parliamentary inquiry but admitted to donating to the African National Congress, the ruling party.
- He has faced many legal accusations over the years, including robbery and assault, but always denied them and was not convicted.
- In May 2025, he was charged with attempted murder, a charge he denies; his wife faces the same charge but was granted bail.
- Matlala was charged with corruption related to health service contracts with the police; he once pleaded guilty but later withdrew the plea after the deal collapsed.
- Matlala grew up as a “street kid” after his single mother, who had albinism, disappeared, and he later learned she had been assaulted because of her condition.
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