Johannesburg, South Africa – November 27, 2025 – A parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating allegations of police corruption and misconduct convened a special hearing on Thursday at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where incarcerated suspect Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala provided testimony detailing a financial transaction with North West businessman Brown Mogotsi.
The committee, tasked with examining systemic issues within the South African Police Service (SAPS), has been holding sessions to gather evidence from key witnesses amid broader probes into graft and operational failures. Matlala, a suspected cartel leader currently detained on charges related to the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane, appeared before the panel for the third consecutive day. His testimony centered on a specific incident involving Mogotsi, who had previously given evidence at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into alleged police corruption.
According to Matlala’s account, the money transfer occurred after Mogotsi contacted him requesting funds to cover accommodation expenses for specialized investigators. These investigators were reportedly tasked with identifying SAPS officers who had conducted a raid on Matlala’s residence. Matlala stated that he complied with the request and sent the money to Mogotsi, though the exact amount was not specified in the hearing. During his testimony, Matlala expressed frustration over the arrangement, questioning why he was required to pay for police services that should have been provided as part of their official duties.
The sequence of events unfolded further when police arrived at Matlala’s home to effect his arrest. Matlala recounted calling Mogotsi immediately after the officers’ arrival, followed by additional follow-up communications. However, Mogotsi became unreachable shortly thereafter, leading to Matlala’s suspicions about the businessman’s role in the matter.
This testimony ties into a prior interaction involving former Police Minister Bheki Cele. On December 27, 2024, Matlala met with Cele and displayed messages on his phone showing Mogotsi soliciting the funds. Cele, upon reviewing the exchange, advised Matlala against blocking Mogotsi’s contact, suggesting that maintaining the line could eventually connect to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Matlala’s evidence during the hearing directly contradicted Cele’s earlier statements, as Matlala claimed to have provided Cele with R500,000 in cash—a detail that Cele had not acknowledged. Matlala also referenced a prior criminal conviction linked to the case, which he said exposed inconsistencies in Mogotsi’s previous testimony before the Madlanga Commission.
The hearing faced initial delays due to concerns raised by Matlala’s legal team regarding his mental and physical health. They argued that the suspect, unaccustomed to incarceration after a lifestyle marked by luxury, was not adequately prepared for the proceedings. Matlala has been held in the C-Max maximum-security section of Kgosi Mampuru II since his arrest. Prison authorities recently transferred him to solitary confinement following the discovery of a cellphone during a routine cell raid, a move that his lawyers described as exacerbating his difficulties in coping with detention.
Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane, alongside chief evidence leader Norman Arendse and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema, addressed Matlala’s hesitations about participating. They provided assurances that his testimony would be protected under immunity provisions, meaning it could not be used against him in any subsequent legal proceedings. These guarantees were instrumental in proceeding with the session, which resumed after the brief postponement.
Mogotsi, identified as a businessman from the North West province, has been a figure of interest in multiple corruption inquiries. His appearance before the Madlanga Commission highlighted alleged ties to police misconduct, though specific details from that probe were not revisited in Thursday’s hearing. The ad hoc committee’s work builds on these earlier efforts, aiming to uncover patterns of bribery, favoritism, and operational lapses within SAPS structures.
As of the close of Thursday’s proceedings, the committee had not issued formal findings related to Matlala’s claims. Further witness testimonies are scheduled in the coming weeks, with the panel expected to compile a comprehensive report for Parliament by early 2026. Matlala remains in custody awaiting trial on the attempted murder charges, while investigations into the broader corruption allegations continue.
This hearing underscores ongoing efforts by South African authorities to address deep-rooted issues in law enforcement, with Matlala’s disclosures adding a layer of complexity to the narrative of influence-peddling and unofficial financial dealings within police ranks.
