MOTSHANE – Residents of Motshane strongly deny that Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, the man accused of orchestrating a network of corruption, fraud and violence, is a member of their community.
They have extended an invitation to KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, urging him to dispatch a task team to investigate and confirm that Matlala is not from their area.
This publication conducted random interviews to verify earlier information linking Matlala to a family at Motshane. Last week, investigations revealed that the citizens’ registry at the Ministry of Home Affairs records a man with attributes identical to Matlala as Vusimuzi Dlamini, a resident of Motshane – a rural chiefdom located 15 kilometres north of the capital city, Mbabane. His Eswatini identification number is 7605286100###.
The documents indicate that Dlamini is the second-born son of Christinah Thembi Shongwe, a housewife from Motshane, whose National ID number is 5307081100###.
Christinah has disowned Matlala, asserting that she was a victim of identity theft after her national ID card was temporarily lost for three months in 2024.
Sidumo, a lifelong resident of Motshane, said: “I had never seen or heard of Matlala until his story broke in the media. I heard in the media that he called himself a Dlamini in Eswatini, but I have never seen him at all. I saw his pictures and tried to recall, but still failed to connect him with this area. Perhaps others know him.”
Similarly, Sibusiso Nhlengetfwa expressed doubts about Matlala being a Motshane resident, given his absence from the area: “I was born and went to school here, but never heard of him. The police should launch a full investigation into the matter so that Motshane can be cleared of having raised such a man.”
Wakhile Ginindza suggested that the South African Police Service and Commissioner General Mkhwanazi should visit the area and conduct their own investigations to uncover the truth: “I started following his case after the Times of Eswatini revealed that he may have links to the area. I believe he may have manipulated people to obtain our nationality. I have never seen him around here, yet I was born and raised in this area.”
Zodwa Dlamini recounted their initial assumption when the story first appeared in the newspaper: “When the issue was reported in the newspaper, we initially assumed it was another Vusi Dlamini who is a resident. However, when we heard that Matlala is incarcerated, we were relieved. We truly do not know where this Matlala, who was registered in Eswatini as Dlamini, comes from.”
One resident, who chose to remain anonymous, mentioned hearing that someone with Matlala’s characteristics used to reside at Ekupheleni decades ago.
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Matlala’s Eswatini link draws scrutiny in media platforms
MBABANE – The name Vusimuzi Matlala and his alleged link to Eswatini has been the subject of scrutiny in newspaper analysis, social media video clips and almost all radio and TV stations in South Africa.
Matlala’s widespread media attention began when, during a recent press briefing in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial, Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was under criminal investigation and linked to corrupt elements within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
General Mkhwanazi cited Matlala’s allegedly irregular tender award as an example of systemic issues. Mchunu has denied any association with Matlala, describing the allegations as baseless.
General Mkhwanazi’s revelations detailed how Matlala allegedly paid Mchunu to disband a police task team investigating his role in the attempted murder of his former girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane.
This multilayered investigation traced the intersection of tender fraud, political protection and criminal violence – showing how E50 million in taxpayer money disappeared while officials looked away, creating a significant police scandal since Jackie Selebi’s downfall.
Matlala was arrested in Midrand on May 14 following what police termed a ‘high-profile investigation’. He stands accused of orchestrating the alleged hit on the said attempted murder of socialite Thobejane and laundering millions, including funds linked to a E360 million SAPS health services tender. That contract — awarded to a company linked to Matlala — was cancelled in May by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who said the firm should never have advanced past the initial bidding phase.
Once known for flaunting luxury vehicles and opulent properties, Matlala is now classified as a high-risk inmate at C-Max. During a recent raid, a mobile phone was found in his possession. An internal investigation is underway. His co-accused include his wife, Tsakani Matlala (accused number four), Musa Kekana (accused number one) and Tiegi Floyd Mabusela, also known as Danny (accused number two). Charges against them include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. Matlala is expected to face additional charges, as legal proceedings over the alleged attempted murder of socialite Thobejane continue to unfold.
On Friday, Matlala and three co-accused appeared at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. In May, Tsakani was added to the charge sheet and granted E20 000 bail due to poor health and her role as a mother of young children. Bail conditions include surrendering her passport, remaining in Gauteng and avoiding contact with witnesses or relatives of the other accused.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Mchunu on an immediate ‘leave of absence’ after allegations of links to organised crime groups were made against him. President Ramaphosa also announced a judicial commission would investigate the claims, which he said undermined the Constitution and threatened national security. He added that law professor Firoz Cachalia had been appointed as interim police minister.
Mchunu denied any wrongdoing, saying in a statement that he ‘stood ready to respond to the accusations’ against him. In his speech, President Ramaphosa said the allegations against Mchunu, which include interference in investigations into political killings and corruption within law enforcement agencies, ‘call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation’. He said the judicial commission, led by the country’s deputy chief justice, would examine all the claims. The commission will also investigate current and former police officials, as well as members of the national executive, President Ramaphosa said.
*Full details in our publication.
South African criminal 'Cat' Matlala. (Pic: Sourced)